Take Advantage of People's Bad Luck

　　It feels strange to listen in as the Shark and Jordie talk about their morning's work, like two soldiers reliving a battle. I don;t feel part of that at all. And I can clearly see the things that are wrong with what they do: they take advantage of people's bad luck, and go work on them when they're vulnerable. Yet the storm and all the havoc is news, and they have to get their stories. The main difference between me and them is that they've learnt to distance themselves emotionally from what they report. I can't do that. Nowhere near. I wonder how long it'll take before I learn how it's done . . . And then I wonder if I ever want to learn something like that.

　　. . . . . .

A Straight Line to My Heart, P188
Bill Condon
ISBN 978-174237-730-8

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A Ten Page Explanation

Tiffany,

　　I like you but you mightn't feel the same about me, and I wouldn't blame you. To save us both from any awkward moments I've figured out an easy way to do this. Nod if you're even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write me a ten page explanation if you're not.

　　Davey.

　　'I spent hours trying to get that right and it still sucks,' he says.

　　The note is brimming with confidence but I don't see that on his face or hear it in his voice.

　　……

A Straight Line to My Heart, P167
Bill Condon
ISBN 978-174237-730-8

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Hope It Is

　　'And like you say, that gets very annoying. I don't know why you have anything to do with me.'

　　'Good point. I don't either. Why I should bother with someone who says such absolute garbage?'

　　'It's true about you not putting on any weight . . .'

　　'Okay. From now on I'm stocking up on chocolates and ice-creams. Watch this space. Skinny me is gone!'

　　'I don't want you to do that. You can be skinny. No one's perfect.'

　　'Hey.' Her pink finger nudges mine. 'I love your smart mouth I don't you to change anything.'

　　I look back against the cold stone and gaze around me. In among the dead there must be girls who were once like me and Kyla. They probably lived this very scene before us; asked the same questions about friendship, about life; wondered if it was all worthwhile. I think it is. Hope it is.

A Straight Line to My Heart, P78
Bill Condon
ISBN 978-174237-730-8

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The Gloom Seeps Through by Osmosis

　　I'm on the bus to Menindah. There's barely a roadside puddle to show for the downpour and now the sky is powder blue. And the or twelve people on the bus, same ones as yesterday, are dressed for cool and comfort. My head is in a book —— what a surprise —— but I have to give it a rest for a while. I love Sylvia Plath, but I can only read her poetry in short bursts; stay too long in her world and the gloom seeps through by osmosis.

　　The poem I read before I shut the book was 'Mad Girl's Love Song'. Cool title. The first few line gives you a clue about her style. It's about how the world drops dead when she shuts her eyes.

　　Sylvia killed herself at thirty.

　　Tempting fate, I shut my eyes too, and as I do last night comes zipping back to me, easy as pressing rewind.

　　……

A Straight Line to My Heart, P133-134
Bill Condon
ISBN 978-174237-730-8

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Sometimes I Hate Reality

　　'What I said before —— I didn't mean to hurt you.'

　　'Don't be silly. You didn't hurt me. Tough as old boots, I am.'

　　I keep my eyes trained on the road, but the tone of her voice tells me she's most probably smiling. Zoe is one of those hard-to-knock-down people —— or maybe she just bounces back very well. She's sunny no matter what the weather, and obviously brave, since she gave me another shot. Forgiving too. It's the way I've always imagined my mum would have been. If she had lived she'd be about Zoe's age now. It could have been us out there. I coast along with that thought for a few kays, don't want to turn it loose, but I know I have to let reality back in. Sometimes I hate reality.

　　'Watcha thinking?' she says.

　　Here's my chance to really let her see me and all my mixed-up feelings . . . if only I knew where to start.

　　'Not much. Just looking out for roos.'

A Straight Line to My Heart, P112
Bill Condon
ISBN 978-174237-730-8

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Human Form of Broccoli

　　I've done this walk so many times. Going to see Kyla . . .

　　We've been friends since we were nine. Back then I wasn't great at conversation. Hello and goodbye were my strong points. Finding something for the middle was always a problem. When the girl came to school I could see no reason why she'd want to know me.

　　She had mad legs on her even then, and she's a ranga: long flowing hair the colour of apricots. Dress her in rags, she'd still look hot.

　　I tried to talk to her a few times, but I think she saw me as a human form of broccoli: she knew I'd probably be good for her, but she didn't like me.

　　One day it changed.

　　. . . . . .

A Straight Line to My Heart, P33
Bill Condon
ISBN 978-174237-730-8

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My Never-ending Campaign

　　I wouldn't go against Reggie and actively encourage Zoe to move in, but I think she I would do okay together. If nothing else whe could help me in my never-ending campaign. Some people want to save the rivers or save the whales, even save the entire planet —— I just want to keep the toilet seat down.

　　She might also be able to civilise Bull, or at least curb some of his bogan behaviour. Let's not beat about the bush. I'm talking gas. When Bull gets together with his footy mates and they've downed a few beers it's a competition to see who can blast the biggest hole in the ozone layer. And they think they're being witty. Somehow I don't think Zoe would appreciate their attempts at humour.

　　But regardless of whether she could tame Bull, she'd be fun to have around, and when I got to know her better we could talk long into the night about nothing, and everything. I'd really like that.

A Straight Line to My Heart, P23
Bill Condon
ISBN 978-174237-730-8

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