A singer learned her roles for life - your repertoire was a library of fates held close, like the gowns in this closet, yours until your voice failed. - Alexander Chee

I wanted to prepare for a life of sudden transformations, of enemies singing at you across the stage dressed in the costume of a lover.

For the novelists in your life I have heard it said that it is better if you pretend they do something else and that it is always attended to, and doesn’t need your attention in the slightest. And then when asked for support, muster an enormous enthusiasm.

She said this watching my eyes as if she were testing the edge of a blade on me. And so I made sure not to flinch.