Bea

“Tamar. You probably feel poorer now. Not money-wise—I know you didn’t mind about that. It’s because you believed in something that turned out not to be real. That’s what happened, but I wasn’t the one who tricked you. Trickery occurs all the time, all the time . . . people exchange fake money for things of genuine value, people spend their life savings on lies. Let each person involved in those exchanges consider their losses and gains, the benefits and drawbacks of trusting others and gaining the trust of others, but as for you, Tamar, don’t you dare say it’s trust that’s made you poorer today . . . first of all, what was the source of that trust? Wasn’t it the value you placed on my obedience? Isn’t that what you thought you’d bought . . . affectionate obedience? Somebody who wouldn’t feel any more or any less than you wanted her to feel, someone who’d love but not dare to—whatever it turns out I’ve dared to do. But really you shouldn’t be surprised this happened; this is what you get for placing people in your debt in such a way that they can never repay it!”
― Helen Oyeyemi, Gingerbread

“tell. My own sense is that one aided the other, as those who stand to gain from the manipulation of truth often prey on those bereft of critical thinking.”
― Maria Popova, Figuring

“times the girl offered her hand, her mother refused it. It was the usual struggle between one who loves by accepting burdens and one who loves by refusing to be one.”
― Helen Oyeyemi, What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours

“Though we have instructions and a map buried in our hearts when we enter this world, nothing quite prepares us for the abrupt shift to the breathing realm.”
― Joy Harjo, Crazy Brave: A Memoir