Does she know all the people she says she knows?” “She knows everybody.” “Maybe that’s why she’s getting old. - Ross Thomas

You can grieve when someone dies. But when someone is near death, and there is the chance that you might prevent it if you make the right decision, anxiety takes over.

You watch television much?” Padillo asked.
“Some,” I said. “It’s like China. If you ignore it, it just gets worse.

Another good touch. What do we charge for a regular martini?”
“Ninty-five cents—ninety-eight cents with tax.
What's it do to the tips?”
Builds them. There aren’t as many dimes and nickels around, so they usually leave two-bits. The two cents' change is a sting to conscience.”