Amy Straus

“Yes you're getting your tattoo."
I threw my arms around Dad's neck. "Thank you!"
"Hey," Mom said. "I'm the one who had to persuade him it wasn't turning his little girl into a streetwalker."
"I never said that," Dad said.
"No?" I said. "Cool. Cause I've decided to skip the paw print. I'm thinking of a tramp stamp with flames that says 'Hot in Here.' No wait. Arrows. For directionally challenged guys”
― Kelley Armstrong, The Gathering

“Another night then,' Mom said. 'Maybe on the weekend we can have a barbecue and invite your sister.'

'Or,' I said turning to Rafe, 'if you want to skip the whole awkward meet-the-family social event you could just submit your life story including your view on politics religion and every social issue imaginable along with anything else you think they might need to conduct a thorough background check.'

Mom sighed. 'I really don't know why we even bother trying to be subtle around you.'

'Neither do I. It's not like he isn't going to realize he's being vetted as daughter-dating material.'

Rafe grinned. 'So we are dating.'

'No. You have to pass the parental exam first. It'll take you awhile to compile the data. They'd like it in triplicate.' I turned to my parents. 'We have Kenjii. We have my cell phone. Since we aren't yet officially dating I'm sure you'll agree that's all the protection we need.'

Dad choked on his coffee.”
― Kelley Armstrong, The Gathering

“I want you to have big dreams, big goals. I want you to strive to achieve them. But I don't want to see you beating yourself up every time you make a mistake.”
― Kelley Armstrong, The Gathering

“This is so cool," I said loudly as Dad walked away. "Have you met the tattoo artist? Is he hot?"
"He's a she," Mom said.
"Is she hot? Cause I'm still young, you know. My sexual identity isnt fully formed."
"Your father can't hear you anymore, Maya." Mom sighed.”
― Kelley Armstrong, The Gathering