Dark Matter: A Novel

And maybe I can let go of the sting and resentment of the path not taken, because the path not taken isn’t just the inverse of who I am. It’s an infinitely branching system that represents all the permutations of my life between the extremes of me and Jason2.

Being with Daniela isn’t like being home. It defines home.

“When you write something, you focus your full attention on it. It’s almost impossible to write one thing while thinking about another. The act of putting it on paper keeps your thoughts and intentions aligned.”

“Are you happy in your life?” In the shadow of this moment, my life is achingly beautiful.

it’s all, in the end, just life. We see it macro, like one big story, but when you’re in it, it’s all just day-to-day, right? And isn’t that what you have to make your peace with?”

It’s the beautiful thing about youth. There’s a weightlessness that permeates everything because no damning choices have been made, no paths committed to, and the road forking out ahead is pure, unlimited potential.

Amanda says, “Jason, this isn’t your world. That wasn’t your wife. You can still go home and find them.” Intellectually, I know she’s right, but emotionally, that just ripped my guts out. I am hardwired to love and protect that woman.

F. Scott Fitzgerald line: Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.

I love my life, but I haven’t felt that lightness of being in ages. Autumn nights like this are as close as I get.