Keeper Of The Lost Cities Quotes

She wasn't the same girl she'd been the year before, who though failing out of Foxfire would be the end of the world. Now she'd been kidnapped, presumed dead, banished from the Lost Cities, and helped stop a plague from killing off the entire gnomish species. She'd even snuck into the ogres' capital and helped destroy half the city--which happened to be why the Council was struggling to negotiated a new elvin-ogre treaty. ~ Shannon Messenger

And it all started with a field trip, a giant dinosaur model, and an especially noticeable pair of teal eyes. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe raised one eyebrow. "You okay there, Foster? Your mood seems to be making some sudden shifts." "Yeah. because I'm trying to decide if I can shove you off the stairs without knocking Biana down." "I can jump out of the way," Biana offered. "I can give him an extra shove as he tumbles by," Tam added. " I'd come up there and do it myself, but I'm trying to be a good brother and wait for my slothlike sister." "I'd like to see you climbing in heels," Linh told him. ~ Shannon Messenger

I don't care. They tried to take my family from me, and I'm not going to sit back anymore. So you better find a way to get out now, Keefe. Before you get caught in the cross fire. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe gave her sister his famous smirk, reaching up to smooth his expertly tousled blond hair. "Don't worry-were all in the Foster Fan Club. ~ Shannon Messenger

...if you lose, you'll have to wear a metal diaper to school and call me Lord Hunkyhair from now on."

"Uh... yeah, no," Fitz said as Biana asked, "Hunkyhair?"

"Lord Hunkyhair," Keefe corrected. "What? It's accurate." He tossed his head like he was in a shampoo commercial. "I think we need to make it a thing either way- don't you, Foster?"

"I think you're ridiculous," Sophie told him. ~ Shannon Messenger

She'd spent forever trying to find him something personal, settling on a miniature Albertosaurus covered in deep violet feathers. She knew it was silly, but it reminded her of the day they met, and in the card she thanked him for showing her what dinosaurs really looked like. ~ Shannon Messenger

Now I know why Bianas ready to start stabbing things. ~ Shannon Messenger

I know we've done stuff, Foster. But it's not even close to enough. And the scariest thing is how little we know. I mean... I can't even tell you if I've gotten back all the memories my mom erased. Meanwhile they know everything about us: where we live, where we go to school, what our abilities are, who our friends and family are, how to find us- do you need me to keep going? Because we both know I can. ~ Shannon Messenger

It's amazing he made it through without me bashing his pretty face."

"Aw, did you hear that? Ro thinks I'm pretty! I mean- I usually go for more of a roguish handsome, but..." He tosses his hair and fluttered his eyelashes.

Sophie's lips curled into a smile-without her permission. ~ Shannon Messenger

She studied the relaxed lines of his features. The soft flutter of his long, dark eyelashes. The adorable way his arms cradled Mrs. Snuggles against his bandaged chest.

I don't know what to do.

She hadn't meant to transmit the words, but... it felt good to say them. And it was like like he could hear her. He hadn't even flinched. His breathing hadn't changed rhythm.

So she told him, I really wish you were awake.

He let out a snuffly snore, which gave her the courage to ask, What if I just want you to wake up because I'm tired of fighting the echoes all by myself?

That wasn't the right question, though.

What if I want you to wake up because I miss you?

She'd been trying to stay busy, trying not to look at the beautiful boy sleeping over in the corner.

She hated having him so close and still so far away.

And when she turned to Fitz, his eyes were more than fluttering.

One blink.

Two.

Three.

And then... they stayed open. ~ Shannon Messenger

The teasing tone faded from his voice, replaced with something that made Sophie very aware of how close they were standing. ~ Shannon Messenger

Fitz? What kind of name was Fitz? ~ Shannon Messenger

Amy hugged her tighter. "Does that mean I can keep you?"
"Only if I can keep you. ~ Shannon Messenger

Fine, but you should at least have to write an epic poem in my honor. Here, I'll help you. "Ode to Keefe Sencen, that brave lovable nut. He may not have teal eyes, but he has a really cute,"
"KEEFE"! ~ Shannon Messenger

She was amazed Silveny had even let them get close enough to attach the reins. Clearly she needed to teach the glittering horse how to recognize pure evil. ~ Shannon Messenger

There's no reason to worry.
-Keeper of the Lost Cities ~ Shannon Messenger

She'd hoped to close her eyes and dream of sparkly winged horses flying through a bright blue sky. Instead, black-cloaked figures haunted her mind, snatching her from the shadows
and dragging her away in a drugged haze. Sharp bonds sliced her wrists and ankles as someone shouted questions she didn't know the answers to. Then fiery hands seared her skin and ghostly whispers swirled through the blackness.

They would find her.

She would never escape them again
. ~ Shannon Messenger

The Fitzphie pizzazz, Sophie repeated, There's no such thing.
Not what that attitude, there isn't! Keefe told her. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe, I...'

There were no words.

She threw her arms around his shoulders, hugging him as tight as she could. Maybe if she never let go, she could hold the broken pieces together. ~ Shannon Messenger

Wait for the morning, when you can regroup with your friends, and the seven of you can start scheming together. ~ Shannon Messenger

Bout time you got here," Keefe called as they crested a hill and entered a grassy meadow peppered with tiny blue flowers. "I was getting tired of stomping Fitz to a pulp in bramble."

"Only because you cheat!" Fitz shouted, tossing a red tri-pointed ball at Keefe.

Keefe caught it and whipped it back so fast Fitz had to dive to avoid being smacked in the face. Then the strange ball curved back like a boomerang and Keefe caught it one-handed. "Only losers play fair. Which is why I call Foster for my team today."

"Hey - why do you get her?" Fitz asked, ~ Shannon Messenger

We could dig into some of the small stuff we hold back."

"Like what?"

He started his hands, twisting the Cognate rings round and round before he transmitted, like all the stuff you tell Keefe and don't tell me. ~ Shannon Messenger

Okay," she agreed. If he refused to be serious, then so would she. "Fine, Im an elf. Am I suppose to help Frodo destroy the ring and save Middle-Earth? Or do I have to make toys in the North Pole? ~ Shannon Messenger

She'd been kidnapped right after - and then her abilities had broken, and Alden's sanity collapsed, and Silveny was attacked, and Kenric was murdered, and the Council turned against her, and she was banished along with all of her friends, and the gnomish plague was unleashed, and Keefe ran off, and Lumenaria fell, and so many other devastating and distracting things had happened that Sophie had never stopped to wonder . . . ~ Shannon Messenger

Vika snatched Sophie's wrist with a mud-streaked hand. "You wretched girl! Call her down right now."

"Why do you need my help? Aren't you the expert?"

Keefe snickered. "Ooh, good one, Foster! ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie smiled, "We all have our things."
"Well, yours is weird," Amy told her. ~ Shannon Messenger

All he said was, "I believe in you, Sophie Foster," as he raised his pathfinder up to the silvery glow of the moonlight.
And Sandor added, "We all do. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie sighed. "You don't have to do this."

"If you're talking about being adorable, I really can't help myself."

He said it with a wink and a smirk-which wasn't playing fair. But she managed to stop her lips from curling into a smile. ~ Shannon Messenger

Fitz's human clothes are a huge snoozefest. Check out what Dex and I found in Alvar's closet!" They both unzipped their hoodies, revealing T-shirts with logos underneath. "I have no idea what this means, but it's crazy awesome, right?" Keefe asked, pointing to the black and yellow oval on his shirt. "It's from Batman," Sophie said - then regretted the words. Of course Keefe demanded she explain the awesomeness of the Dark Knight. "I'm wearing this shirt forever, guys," he decided. "Also, I want a Batmobile! Dex, can you make that happen?" Sophie wouldn't have been surprised if Dex actually could build one. As a Technopath, he worked miracles with technology. He'd made all kinds of cool gadgets for Sophie, including the lopsided ring she wore - a special panic switch that had saved her life during her fight with one of her kidnappers. "What's my shirt from?" Dex asked, pointing to the logo with interlocking yellow W's. Sophie didn't have the heart to tell him it was the symbol for Wonder Woman. ~ Shannon Messenger

How about we play without special abilities?" she suggested. "That'll make it fair for everyone."

Fitz shrugged. "I'm up for the challenge if you are."

"Lame. I vote for The Unstoppable Team Keefe! Or Team Foster-Keefe if you're one of those egomaniacs who needs your name in there. I can share some credit. ~ Shannon Messenger

Ew," Dex complained, plugging his nose. "Who knew sparkly horses had such bad breath?"

"It's nothing on Iggy breath," Sophie reminded him. Her pet imp might only be a palm-size furball, but every time he opened his mouth it was like standing near a mountain of rotting eggs and dirty diapers. ~ Shannon Messenger

Relax, Foster," Keefe said, squeezing her good hand and lacing their fingers together.

"You okay there?" he whispered.

She nodded, not quite ready to use her voice.

Not ready to let go of his hand, either. ~ Shannon Messenger

She'd expected him to hand her the open vile, but he scooted even closer and press the glass against her– something Elwin had done for her dozens and dozens of times.

But it was a very different experience with Fitz.

Especially when his finger accidentally grazed the edge of her lips. Not that he seem to notice.

He didn't blush the tiniest bit- which was extra annoying, said she was certain in her cheeks for me on red. ~ Shannon Messenger

Why would she pick tunics you don't like?"

"Because they had to ruin them," she said, running her hand over her bare shoulder.

Fitz cleared his throat. "I... wouldn't call that ruined."

He didn't say what he would call it, though, and it made her with her Polyglot ability worked for translating Cute Boy so she could figure out if that was suppose to be a compliment.

It kinda felt like one. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe smirked. "If I'm right, you have to call me Lord Hunkyhair from now on."

Sophie shook her head. "You guys are terrible."

"That's why you love us!" Keefe draped his arm around her shoulders. ~ Shannon Messenger

I don't want another bodyguard. I want you. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe shouted, "YOU GUYS HAVE TO SEE THIS!" They ran to the main room and found Keefe standing under the skylight, holding up Mr. Snuggles like it was a baby lion about to be made kind. The sparkly red dragon twinkled almost as much as Keefe's eyes as he said, "I went in to check on our boy and found him cuddling with this! ~ Shannon Messenger

Fitz grinned - and a girl who'd been watching him tripped over her own feet. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie Foster was going home. ~ Shannon Messenger

Fitz's eyes never left Sophie's as he let Biana lead them for forward, offering one last smile before he left.

It was only a half a smile.

But she knew it was just for her. ~ Shannon Messenger

And you get to bathe the verminion for the next month," Grady added.

Sophie groaned. She swore the giant mutant-hamster-thing had been plotting to destroy her since she'd helped trap it when it arrived at Havenfield. "That's just mean."

"No, that's awesome," Dex corrected.

"Glad you think so, Dex," Grady told him, " 'Cause you get to help her."

"Hey - I didn't do anything wrong!"

"I never said you did. But do you really think Sophie will let you just stand there and watch her work? ~ Shannon Messenger

It's too bad Keefe isn't here, you two could have a contest to see who whines the most. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe's right," Elwin said, making them both jump. "You two do stare into each other's eyes a lot."

"It's how we concentrate," Sophie argued, becoming very interested in smoothing her disaster of a ponytail.

"i'm sure that's what it is," he teased. ~ Shannon Messenger

So is it strange coming here and not being the one on trial?" Keefe asked, "Because I'd be happy to help you break a few laws if you're feeling left out. ~ Shannon Messenger

Am I supposed to help Frodo destroy the ring and save Middle Earth? Or do I have to make toys in the North Pole?
-Keeper of the Lost Cities ~ Shannon Messenger

We have too many villains," Sophie said through a sigh.

Keefe snorted. "You're not wrong. ~ Shannon Messenger

Why else would you spend so much time helping Miss Fosters causes?"

"Uh... you've seen how cute she is, right?" Keefe asked. ~ Shannon Messenger

Hang on – what are you wearing?" Keefe asked as she threw back her covers, revealing the sparkly slogans on her tunic. "Is that a Bangs Boy reference? Because you know I haven't let him into the Foster Fan Club, right?"

Sophie rolled her eyes. "It's an inside joke – and Linh made this for me."

"Yeah, well, it still breaks the fan club rules. As penance, I'm giving you a tunic that says, 'Empaths Give Me All the Feels," and I expect to see you wear it twice as much as Bang Boys. ~ Shannon Messenger

She stood at the edge of a glassy river lined with impossibly tall trees, fanning out their wide emerald leaves among the puffy white clouds. Across the river, a row of crystal castles glittered in the sunlight in a way that would make Walt Disney want to throw rocks at his "Magic Kingdom." To her right, a golden path led into a sprawling city, where the elaborate domed buildings seemed to be built from brick-size jewels - each structure a different color. Snowcapped mountains surrounded the lush valley, and the crisp, cool air smelled like cinnamon and chocolate and sunshine. ~ Shannon Messenger

Mallowmelt always makes a difficult conversation better. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe was going to slay her over this ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie froze.
"My name's Fitz," he added, stepping closer still.
Fitz? What kind of name was Fitz? ~ Shannon Messenger

Linh peeked her head over his shoulder. "This is fun! I never get to see Tam blush!"

She pinched her brothers cheeks, and Tam rolled his eyes and stalked into the Healing Center, with Linh giggling right behind him. ~ Shannon Messenger

She stretched, feeling her spine pop in several places. She curled her legs to the side and opened her eyes-to find Fitz staring at her with his eyebrows practically launching off his forehead. ~ Shannon Messenger

I guess that makes sense. And by the way - your friends?" Amy glanced over her shoulder to take another peek at them. "Are they in a contest to see who can be the most gorgeous or something?"
Sophie had to laugh. "They might be."
"It's ridiculous," Amy told her. "Especially Fitz's family. I mean, seriously, who looks like that?"
"Only the Vackers," Sophie assured her. ~ Shannon Messenger

You okay?" Keefe asked, flicking a strand of her blonde hair to get her attention. "And before you answer, remember: You're talking to an Empath. Plus, you've already pulled put two eyelashes since we got here, and I can tell you're dying to go for a third."

She was. ~ Shannon Messenger

He turned away and his hands grabbed something. A tiny purple Albertosaurus, and the note she'd given him with it. If she could've felt her chest, her heart would've skipped a beat. ~ Shannon Messenger

What?" Sophie asked, wiping under her lashes when she noticed Keefe staring. "Did I smudge it?"

"No, Foster. You look... perfect. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe marched through the doors to the Healing Center and declared, "Wow, it's like walking into a cloud of sulk in here."

He fanned the air away from his face as he made his way over. "I mean, I figured you be feeling a little lost about your Cognate buddy, but trust me: Fitzy isn't worth this much angst."

"I'm not pouting about Fitz, "Sophie informed him.

"Ah, so you admit you are pouting? "He countered, plopping on to the side of her cot with enough oomph to make the mattress bounce. ~ Shannon Messenger

You're bleeding," Fitz interrupted, lifting Sophie's hand and examining her palm. Thin streams of red dripped down her skin. "These look bad, Sophie. You should get them treated."

"I'm fine," she said, trying not to think about the blood, or the fact that Fitz was technically holding her hand, since both things made her head spin way too fast. "Really. It's not a big deal. We don't need to call Elwin. ~ Shannon Messenger

Do you have any fathomlethes around here?"

"I hope you're not talking about the weird river-pearl thing you took in Alluveterre that made you cover your walls in scraps of paper like a serial killer," Sophie told him.

"Oh I am- I know you're not going to like it, Foster. But I remembered a ton of stuff last time. So how about I promise to let you help me sort through the notes again? Remember that? Such a classic Keephie moment! ~ Shannon Messenger

The drug lulled her toward a dreamless oblivion, but she fought back - clinging to the one memory that could shine a tiny spot of light in the thick, inky haze. A pair of beautiful aquamarine eyes.
Fitz's eyes. Her first friend in her new life. Her first friend ever. ~ Shannon Messenger

What I was still out of it, I heard your voice in my head- I think it's why I woke up."

Her face tried its best to burst into flames. "Sorry, I-"

"Don't be," he interrupted. "I'm glad I'm awake."

"So am I," she admitted. "But... you have to be super careful, okay?"

"I will if you will," he made her promise.

He waited for her to meet his eyes, and when she did, he gave her the sweetest smile she'd ever seen.

"By the way," he murmured, pressing Mr. Snuggles against his heart. "I missed you too. ~ Shannon Messenger

I'll go out of my to make their job impossible."

"No, you won't," Sandor told her. "Youre much too smart to resort to such reckless behavior."

Sophie's eyebrows shot up. "You sure about that? You've seen how much time I spend with Keefe. ~ Shannon Messenger

But something about the way Grady was smiling at them made Sophie's cheeks feel hot. Dex must've noticed it too, because his face was bright red as he mumbled some excuse about his parents worrying if he wasn't home soon, and quickly leaped out of there ~ Shannon Messenger

Any idea what the pattern is?" Dex asked
"I'm not sure." Something felt familiar, a shadow of an idea, not formed enough to make sense. She poured through her memories, scrounging for the clue she was missing. The pieces clicked. "Elementine."
"What's the pattern?"
"I don't know, but I know Elementine is right. ~ Shannon Messenger

She pulled her shoulder-length blond hair around her face, wishing she could hide behind it. This is exactly the kind of attention she went out of her way to avoid. Why she wore dull colors and lurked in the back, blocked by the other kids who were at least a foot taller than her. It was the only way to survive as a twelve year old in high school. ~ Shannon Messenger

But before he left, he asked, "Still best friends, right?"
A soft smile curled her lips, and her heart pull back into its place.
"Forever. ~ Shannon Messenger

Yeah, what time should we arrive to catch the Great Fitzphie Ooze Fest?" Keefe asked.

"We're not calling it that," Sophie told him.

"Oh, I think we are. And don't worry, Foster," Keefe added, patting her on the head. "I'll still love you when you're oozy. ~ Shannon Messenger

She was a girl with strange abilities and a different way of looking at the world. What she decided to do with these things was up to her. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie tugged out a loose eyelash-a nervous habit-and started at her feet. ~ Shannon Messenger

We wanted her to see that the shadows that scared her could be beau,titular and powerful when we learn how to control them," Edaline added.
Taking control.
It sounded so simple.
And so impossible. ~ Shannon Messenger

Hey, all the cool kids are sleeping with stuffed animals these days. ~ Shannon Messenger

I hope you don't mind having Fitz in there with you."

"No, I like Fitz - I mean, I don't like him - we're friends, not anything . . . It's fine," she finished, feeling her face burn. ~ Shannon Messenger

Fitz laughed. You really are adorable when you worry. ~ Shannon Messenger

I was already planning to have us start with telekinesis, since that's what got Foster all swoons about my skills in the first place."

"I didn't get swoons," Sophie felt the need to point out.

"Keep telling yourself that, Foster. Keeeeeeeeeep telling yourself that. ~ Shannon Messenger

Well, if you like honestly," Ro said, following him over to Keefe, "it stinks here, too. Everything smells like..."
"Fresh air?" Sophie guessed.
"Awww, my girl keeps getting snarkier and snarkier," Keefe said proudly.
"I'm not your girl," Sophie snapped back. "And don't think I'm done being mad at you! ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe tried to break the tension, pumping his fist and shouting, "LORD HUNKYHAIR LIVES! Say it now, Ro. Say it! ~ Shannon Messenger

Okay - there's no easy way to explain this, so I'm just going to say it. We're not human, Sophie.
-Keeper of the Lost Cities ~ Shannon Messenger

You may be the biggest news to hit the academy since The Great Gulon Incident three years ago - which, by the way, I had nothing to do with.
-Keeper of the Lost Cities ~ Shannon Messenger

Mr. Snuggles is always the best thing to see when you first wake up. ~ Shannon Messenger

By the way, you look awesome," Biana said, admiring Sophie's dress. "Now I'm wishing I braided my hair or something."

"Oh please, you look amazing," Sophi assured her. "Like always. ~ Shannon Messenger

Are you kidding?" Sophie and Fitz asked, once again in perfect unison.

Elwin chuckled. "I'm sure if Keefe were here, he'd have a lot to say about how in sync you two are getting."

"Just more proof that Fitzphie's the best," Fitz told him, with a wink that shouldn't have made Sophie's heart flutter. But hearts could be foolish things. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe whistled, "Remind me never to get on your bad side, Dizznee. ~ Shannon Messenger

Stina laughed her high, wheezy snicker. "Last I checked, empathy wasn't an ability your
creators gave you."

"Last I checked, you hadn't manifested any abilities at all," Sophie spit through gritted teeth. ~ Shannon Messenger

You keep claiming you're not mysterious, but who are you kidding?
-Keeper of the Lost Cities ~ Shannon Messenger

But you're forgetting something, I like a challenge." Keefe was so close, his breath warming her cheeks. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie stomach growled, and she gave herself three seconds to imagine it-to picture what it would be like to creep through the shimmering halls when they were empty and quiet and dark and see all the hidden places Keefe had discovered.

But...

"Don't you go shaking that adorable little head at me, Foster," Keefe said before she could get a word out. ~ Shannon Messenger

So," she mumbled, not sure how to finish that sentence – or what to do with her arms. Or where to stand.

It all felt awkward and weird and wrong-until fits dropped his crutches and gently pulled her into a hug.

"I don't want to go," he whispered.

"I don't want you to either," she admitted, hoping her hushed tone hit the thickness of her voice.

She told herself not to pull him tighter so he wouldn't feel how hard her heart was pounding. But she couldn't help leaning closer when she realized his pulse felt just as crazy as hers.

She didn't know what that meant.

But it felt like something. ~ Shannon Messenger

Scattered, disconnected pieces of thoughts broadcast straight into Sophie's brain- like being in a room with hundreds of TV's blaring different shows at the same time. They sliced into her consciousness, leaving sharp pains in their wake.

She was a freak. ~ Shannon Messenger

Alden turned to Grady. "I'm sorry to be late. I'd hoped to get here before the Hekses arrived. But Fitz, Keefe, and Biana insisted on seeing the long-lost alicorn, and someone needed time to fix their hair."

"Hey, a guy's gotta look his best for the ladies." Keefe patted the back of his head. "Right, Foster?"

Sophie ignored him - though she could feel her cheeks blushing. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie smiled. "Yeah, I think you whined the entire way."
"We all have our gifts. And speaking of whining - "
"No whining in the happy place! Seriously, Keefe, try to concentrate. ~ Shannon Messenger

Keefe groaned. "What is it with girls and sparkles?"

"Sparkles make everything better," Biana informed him, and Sophie had to agree. ~ Shannon Messenger

Sophie moved to his side. "Hey," she said, nudging him until he looked at her. "Think you can help me master these dance moves before the Ceremonies next week?"

A small grin spread across his lips. "I don't know. I can't exactly work miracles."

"Hey, I'm not that bad."

He grabbed her hands as she tried to shove him, and his face turned serious. "You're not bad at all. You're awesome."

He blushed after he said it, and Sophie dropped her eyes to the ground. ~ Shannon Messenger

You're being dumb," Sophie told him. "Technopathy is cool."

"Easy for you to say. It's not fair you get to be a Telepath and an Inflictor. ~ Shannon Messenger

So that still freaks you out, huh? That might be proof that it needs to happen.
His eyes locked on hers, refusing to let her look away. And when she swallowed, it was so loud, she was sure the whole world heard it.
Or, he said. We could skip the talking.
And do what? She asked, hating her voice for cracking.
Any ideas?
He was so close now, she could feel his breath warming her cheeks. He leaned a tiny bit closer and someone cleared his throat, very loudly. ~ Shannon Messenger

Ooh, you're Sophie?" the girl - who Sophie assumed was Bex - asked. "My brother talks about you all the time."

"No I don't - and get back here, Lex!" Dex grabbed one of the boys by his furry collar and jerked him back to his side.

"Yes he does," the other boy - who had to be Rex - corrected, flashing a huge grin with a big black space where one of his front teeth was missing. "He liiiiiiiiiiiiikes you."

"I do not!"

"Yes you do!"

Sophie stared at her furry feet as all three kids made kissing noises and Dex threatened to destroy everything they owned and dragged them away. ~ Shannon Messenger

It's so easy for me to get caught up in the feeling of a city like Venice, where everything is just beautiful color and gorgeous buildings that are so peaceful. You can roam around and get lost in the labyrinth. ~ Nanette Lepore

It is the custom to sneer at the modern apartment-house, television, big-city Christmas, with its commercial taint ... office parties, artificial ... Christmas trees ... but future generations in search of their lost Christmases may well remember its innocence; yes, and its beauty, too. ~ Paul Gallico