- Merna Ash: What do you want, Henry? I mean truly want?
- Henry Nearing: I want to be above all the thorns.
- Henry Nearing: [caught sneaking home through his bedroom window] Don't you know it's impolite to enter your son's room without permission?
- Shep Nearing: Why you always sneaking in and out your window?
- Henry Nearing: It's easier for one to just go than to explain where one is going.
- Shep Nearing: And how come you always sound like you're quoting fortune cookies lately?
- Henry Nearing: I think answers always leads to more questions.
- Henry Nearing: I'm quittin' school, movin' into the basement, and not coming out again until I figure out the meaning o' life.
- Blair Nearing: You know what Mom used to say, don't ya, that life is good, sometimes it's not, so drunk your cup of coffee while it's hot and get on with it.