Sorry, am I being rude? she asks.I'm used to saying whatever is on my mind. Mom used to say that politeness is deception in pretty packaging

You know, there's a word for big, strong men who attack women, and it's coward.

What is it with you today?— says Christina on the way to breakfast. Her eyes are stillswollen from sleep and her tangled hair forms a fuzzy halo around her face."Oh, you know," I say. "Sun shining. Birds chirping."She raises an eyebrow at me, as if reminding me that we are in an undergroundtunnel.