Poughkeepsie Quotes

Simple shit makes this chick crap bubbles and rainbows -Beckett ~ Debra Anastasia

It felt real, seeing his friend like that. It was like a gift. He wasn't into spiritual bullshit, but damn. Damn. That Mouse had become his friend was a gift, but a curse as well. If he'd left that whole situation alone, would Mouse - would James - have had a better life? A different outcome? ~ Debra Anastasia

He felt no relief. He felt no closure. He knew then he would have to leave Poughkeepsie. He'd go very far away so he wouldn't be tempted to come back. ~ Debra Anastasia

It as mathematical, marriage, not, as one might expect, additional; it was exponential. This one man, nervous in a suite a size too small for his long, lean self, this woman, in a green lace dress cut to the upper thigh, with a white rose behind her ear. Christ, so young. The woman before them was a unitarian minister, and on her buzzed scalp, the grey hairs shone in a swab of sun through the lace in the window. Outside, Poughkeepsie was waking. Behind them, a man in a custodian's uniform cried softly beside a man in pajamas with a Dachshund, their witnesses, a shine in everyone's eye. One could taste the love on the air, or maybe that was sex, or maybe that was all the same then.
'I do,' she said.
'I do,' he said.
They did. They would.
Our children will be so fucking beautiful, he thought, looking at her.
Home, she thought, looking at him.
'You may kiss,' said the officiant.
They did, would.
Now they thanked everyone and laughed, and papers were signed and congratulations offered, and all stood for a moment, unwilling to leave this gentile living room where there was such softness.
The newlyweds thanked everyone again, shyly, and went out the door into the cool morning. They laughed, rosy. In they'd come integers, out they came, squared.

Her life, in the window, the parakeet, scrap of blue midday in the London dusk, ages away from what had been most deeply lived. Day on a rocky beach, creatures in the tide pool. ~ Lauren Groff

I'm not worried about tomorrow. I'm worried about right now, with you, under this Christmas tree." Blake supported her neck as he laid her on the floor.
Livia turned her head. "You'd better convince me. So far you've talked about the dog going to the bathroom, trash, and dirtiness."
Blake kissed her jaw and turned her head gently, kissing her mouth as she bit her lips together.
"Can't I just convince you with my manly ways?" He wiggled his eyebrows.
He could, of course, do just that - but she shook her head. She loved the playful sparkle in his green eyes. His five o'clock shadow just made him more handsome, framing his kissable lips with scruff.
"Okay." He put his fingers at the bottom of her shirt, lifting it gently so he could circle her belly button with his index finger. "You're the sexiest, most beautiful woman on this planet. So sexy, in fact, that I had to have you. I had to make you bear my children because my universe and yours had to be combined. Everything I've ever been needed to be buried inside of you, so deep, so full of love that we created life. Twice."
He lifted her shirt and kissed the tops of her breasts, whispering his devotion into her skin. "And it's never enough. Unless I can hear you coming, I can't think of anything else. All day every day. For years now. You're that powerful, Livia. This. Us. It's so intense that years haven't cured me. I can't stop wanting to make love to you."
"Wow." Livia smiled and pulled ~ Debra Anastasia

His touch felt so good it was almost pain. ~ Debra Anastasia

She wanted to be physically punished now, and his hands were the safest place to become an object to be used. ~ Debra Anastasia

If you think I give a rat's ass about that cooler, you don't know me at all. Nothing I own is worth your pain."
Then, quietly, he took down one of his walls for her. "I know you. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia held her spatula as Blake whispered in her ear. "I see us just like this a hundred years from now, old and deaf. I'll be the luckiest man."
Emotion caught her - this was all she wanted. Simple, beautiful frittata moments with this man.
"Someday, Livia, I'll be man enough to buy the food," he continued. "I'll give you an oven. I'll try so hard. ~ Debra Anastasia

The men toasted their bottles, as they did when Mouse was mentioned. The part of their tattoo that no longer existed. The man had died on the job, protecting Blake because he was loyal to Beckett.
"And ... " Cole shot Beckett a look.
"You're unofficially known as Sparkles and Jesus." Beckett squinted as Cole pretended to be offended.
"I think it's only fair if we give you a nickname, Blake?" Cole asked.
Blake stood and added a log to the fire. It'd been burning steady since right after dinner. Being with his brothers like this was Beckett's favorite. It his wildest dreams he never pictured getting to sit with them in a Blake's backyard. ~ Debra Anastasia

I'm not leaving you. Right here, right now is the happiest I've ever been. I love you. That means I don't leave. Sorry. ~ Debra Anastasia

As Blake leaned down to accept her hug she whispered, "Remember when you and Livia tried to hog the spotlight at my wedding? Just when you and Livia get to the good part, Cole and I are going to have porno sex right there."
She pointed discreetly at the spot to Blake's right, and he couldn't help but laugh. ~ Debra Anastasia

Eve started in on his jeans, obviously knowing he was commando as usual by grasping his penis and pulling it free without hesitation.
She went down on him hard. It was like she was punishing her mouth for wanting him as much as she did. Driving the car while Eve expertly handled his stick made him feel so powerful, he wanted to head butt the windshield. ~ Debra Anastasia

Eve hugged him and whispered in his ear, "Careful. I'm fatal." He needed to remember that warning.
He whispered back, holding her hair so she couldn't squirm away, "Jesus. It's like you said that directly to my balls."
She laughed so hard at his unexpected reply. ~ Debra Anastasia

Dear Lord, Please protect and guide Eve at her time of recovery. Life has given her a lot of emotional wounds, and now her physical body is mirroring this pain. Please take her hand and keep her safe. Let her live to lead a life that shows her the power of your love."
Together they added, "Amen."
Blake hated that it was all they could do right now. ~ Debra Anastasia

She opened her eyes with a gasp. "I love you." He had tears running a path down his face. He nodded. "Back at ya, pretty child. So, so much. ~ Debra Anastasia

This is how we thank assholes for messing with Poughkeepsie. ~ Debra Anastasia

Emme pulled on Cole's hand. "Why are they crying?"
Her uncle bent down. "Well, sometimes when all your dreams come true? The best you can do is cry. It's happy, not sad. ~ Debra Anastasia

He kept his head down in what seemed to be a prayer. He counts. You've smiled at him four hundred and forty-six times as of a few minutes ago. He announces the number every time I see him. ~ Debra Anastasia

He treats himself like a weapon for your destiny. ~ Debra Anastasia

She'd led her father to believe she was undecided in her profession when in actuality she quickly became one of Beckett's most trusted enforcers. ~ Debra Anastasia

Cole had never been good with physical affection until her. Now his heart burned with their closeness - so much bigger and better than lust was this love. ~ Debra Anastasia

Blake took her face in his hands. You let me touch you. Kiss you. Your skin? It feels like piano keys. My hands know just where to go. ~ Debra Anastasia

Livia called out, "Slutenstien! I'm home."

"I'm up here, cock dribble," Kyle replied. ~ Debra Anastasia

What he had wanted the most as a child was a family, a family that treated him like a person and respected his space, his body, and his place in the world. He was never held with love until Mrs. D, who came along so many years into his childhood that he was almost out of it ~ Debra Anastasia

He'd rather she killed him than walked out on him. ~ Debra Anastasia

When she was this wild, he was a monster for her. He bruised her, took her blows, and fought to give her the pleasure she made him earn. ~ Debra Anastasia

So I'm sitting in that damn chair, ready to die, and I say to her, 'You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I'm so damn glad you're going to kill me instead of some brainless, toothless druggie." Beckett smiled again at the memory of his almost-murder. "Then she traded the knife for her lips, and now she works for me." Beckett put his hands behind his head and flexed his giant biceps. "She won't tell me who hired her to come here. She's the deadliest person I've ever encountered. I still think she might kill me, but I can't stop looking at her. ~ Debra Anastasia

If he lost her now, he'd not be able to live. He would drive off a cliff - maybe the same one the fucker who shot her did. And then he'd be able to spend his time in hell beating the fuck out of the man who'd hurt Eve. ~ Debra Anastasia

Outside, again?" She teased him.
"You know I love it best when you're wearing nothing but the stars."
Blake wrapped her in his arms and reclined on the grass. She pat his chest gently, loving the tap back from his heart and his white smile. He looked amazing cloaked in stars, too. ~ Debra Anastasia

But if all this time between them had taught him anything, it was that they were orbiting the same fate. Together, always together, even when physically apart. ~ Debra Anastasia

What do you have there?"
Mouse perked up at her interest. "I'm making ski masks to have on hand for bank robberies. Last night I finished the fingerless mermaid gloves for Eve. She likes her fingers free for gunplay."
Mouse's needles clicked together in a peaceful rhythm. ~ Debra Anastasia

New York has closed itself off to the young and the struggling. But there are other cities. Detroit. Poughkeepsie. New York City has been taken away from you. So my advice is: Find a new city. ~ Patti Smith

Blake Hartt, I choose you. I deserve you. I want you. Livia proved it by kissing his cold lips until they were warm. ~ Debra Anastasia

Ready?" he asked. He motioned for her to look to the sky.
She'd been on enough long walks with her father to know it was time to open her mind. Their times in nature usually held a secret surprise. It could be anything, really - a rainbow touching the snow or heart-shaped shade cast by a pair of trees. Anything. Today, the gift was being outside the second it started to snow.
"Ooh, Daddy! Look, it's like a salt shaker!" She stuck her tongue out for the newborn snowflakes.
Blake followed her lead. Snow tasted sweeter with Emme around. ~ Debra Anastasia

It's us that should be thanking you. Not a day goes by that Cole and I don't remember you've given your life for ours. Your heart is good. You are the man you seek to be. Never forget that. If it's getting rough, think of what you've already accomplished. Trusting you got Cole and me the lives of our dreams. ~ Debra Anastasia

As Joe raised a hand to acknowledge the wave of applause rising to greet him, he found himself struggling desperately to keep back tears. He had never let himself dream of standing in a place like this, surrounded by people like these. It startled him but at the same time it also filled him with gratitude, and as he stood at the front of the room that day acknowledging the applause, he felt a sudden surge of something unfamiliar - a sense of pride that was deeper and more heartfelt than any he had ever felt before. Now it was on to Poughkeepsie again, and then maybe even Berlin. Everything finally seemed to be starting to turn golden. ~ Daniel James Brown

How you want me, baby?"
She answered him by biting his forearm hard.
He spun her in his arms. When he went in for a kiss, she slapped his face.
"So that's how?" He put her hard against the wall, holding her by her throat. "You have to fight me? Cause I'm the toughest fucker you've ever met. Say it. ~ Debra Anastasia

I know it doesn't make noise," he explained. "Going through the motions is comforting to me. I wish I had a real piano." The wistfulness in his tone was aching to hear.
"Did it used to have keys on it?" Livia asked.
"I did draw them once, but it was in pencil. No matter. My heart knows right where they are." He watched her as he tickled the pretend keys again. ~ Debra Anastasia

I promise you, Cole Bridge, that in honor of the little child you once were, I will never forget that JB is a gift from God. I will honor his unique, gorgeous person with enough love for both him and the memory of a little boy who deserved so much more than he got, for as long as I live and beyond."
She kissed his lips.
"Amen."
He held her close and kissed her hard, her tears salty on both of their lips. "You are so much. I have no words."
"I know," she said. "I feel that way about you too. ~ Debra Anastasia

Eve held his eyes and confidently licked the length of the razor-sharp blade with the tip of her tongue. Red blood beaded up on her tongue, and she licked her lips, giving them a fresh coat of color. Eve used the knife to blow a kiss in Beckett's direction and disappeared into the crowd. Beckett forgot to keep dancing. He stood stock still with Kyle still twirling around him.
Eve had just f*cked his mind so hard, he wanted to smoke a cigarette and cuddle like some soap-watching woman. ~ Debra Anastasia

If they'd caused you pain, I'd never have been able to live with myself," he said as he backed up a step.
"You might want to find another place to sit. Those idiots could cook up a plan for revenge."
"I can't leave." Green Eyes took a huge breath. "This is the only place where I get to see you." He looked like a man who'd just bet his entire fortune and laid his cards on the table. ~ Debra Anastasia

Nevertheless, he had offered her a home under his own roof, which Lavinia accepted with the alacrity of a woman who had spent the ten years of her married life in the town of Poughkeepsie. ~ Henry James

Being a monster hasn't saved anyone. She choked on her sob, gasping for air.
He pulled her into his arms, and she finally let herself be hugged. ~ Debra Anastasia

Blake had to find Livia. And he knew where to find her. He could come to her any day at the Poughkeepsie train station. But it had to be his choice to come back. Suddenly leaving him here to play his exquisite music didn't feel like giving up. It gave Livia hope. ~ Debra Anastasia

A very bouncy Kyle woke Livia at some ridiculous o'clock on Friday morning.
"Wakey-wakey, you sloppy, old whore. It's time to do you up. You're going out tonight, so you don't get to dress in nursing home casual." Kyle ripped off Livia's covers. ~ Debra Anastasia

Don't pray to me. Don't pray to me!" Kyle said, alarmed. "We're in this together. I've done things wrong too. We're human, Cole. We'll still make mistakes, but now we'll always have each other to hold when it hurts." Kyle's eyes filled with tears. ~ Debra Anastasia

She kissed his lips and felt his smile form. Alone in this beautiful space, Blake and Livia made things right. Blake kissed her slowly and patiently, like he had all the time in the world. ~ Debra Anastasia

I love you in such a greedy way, I'm guilty
about it." She tilted her head back as he moved his lips to her throat.
"Guilty is for crimes. Always is for love. ~ Debra Anastasia

We better get over to Beckett's if you want to see how my day goes - before his crowd gets too raunchy." Blake stood up and held out his hand.
"It's eight thirty in the morning. How raunchy could they be?"
Livia wondered what, exactly, Beckett did for a living. Her question was soon answered. Everything bad. ~ Debra Anastasia

I can't do this anymore if it's not with you. Fuck me straight to hell." ~Eve to Beckett ~ Debra Anastasia

Stop. Stop that. Tell me what happened to you." She gently ran her fingers down the length of his chest.
Blake shook his head. "My life outside of this train station won't touch you." His green eyes swam with pain and determination. ~ Debra Anastasia

Holy fucking dogs! You scared the uterus out of me! ~ Debra Anastasia

This was the version of her Blake she'd first met. They reconnected with the fire that had drawn them together and kept them together years later. For him, she would always burn. ~ Debra Anastasia

Looking back now, success seems foreordained. It wasn't. No colonists in the history of the world had defeated their mother country on the battlefield to win their independence. Few republics had managed--or even attempted--to govern an area bigger than a city-state. Somehow, in defiance to all precedent, Washington, Hamilton, and the other founders pulled off both.
Their deliriously unlikely success--first as soldiers, then as statesmen--tends to obscure the true lessons of the American Revolution. The past places no absolute limit on the future. Even the unlikeliest changes can occur. But change requires hope--in the case of both those unlikely victories, the hope that the American people could defy all expectation to overcome their differences and set each other free.
in the summer of 1788, Alexander Hamilton carried this message to Poughkeepsie, where he pleaded with New York's leaders to trust in the possibilities of the union, and vote to ratify the new federal Constitution. Yes, he conceded, the 13 newborn states included many different kinds of people. But this did not mean that the government was bound to fail. It took an immigrant to fully understand the new nation, and to declare a fundamental hope of the American experiment: Under wise government, these diverse men and women "will be constantly assimilating, till they embrace each other, and assume the same complexion. ~ Jeremy McCarter

Tell me I'm enough for you," he demanded. "Can you be with me even though I'm so wrong?" She was satin and warmth. The way she squeezed, he was desperate to move, pound, inject her.
She looked at him. "This is. You are. I can't do this any more if it's not with you. So please fuck me straight to hell. ~ Debra Anastasia

Where there's you, there's always gonna be me. As long as I breathe. ~ Debra Anastasia

Today, he was going to win the Big Humping Pussy award and go back to Poughkeepsie ~ Debra Anastasia

Her smile was lighter fluid to his testosterone. He was full caveman for a few heartbeats. ~ Debra Anastasia

His life was forever a chess game played on a roulette wheel. He'd had to take precise, informed, ball-dropping gambles to get where he'd been. ~ Debra Anastasia

Impossible is just the shit nobody's tried yet," Beckett shot back. "My balls are way too big not to hope for the best. ~ Debra Anastasia

I love you." She was almost angry. "Do you get it? You. These kids. This life. It is my world."
He nodded. She knew he felt the same way, but this Blake didn't talk, he proved. He found the spot on her body that made her see white and held her until she was desperate for more. Then he reached behind her and turned on the washer.
Dirty. Filthy for her. He kissed her and added tongue, bit her neck gently while the vibrations from the machine increased.
She would come for him like this. He pushed up her shirt and pulled down her panties so he could be inside her when she was lost in the ecstasy of it, of him.
He came right after she did, and she locked him close with her legs, dragging her nails down his back as he bit his lip to stay quiet.
He kissed the top of her head in between gasps for air. He looked in her eyes before responding, "I get it. ~ Debra Anastasia

They kissed deeply, but she pushed him away when he started to get grabby. "No, seriously, let me get a shower. My vagina smells like a set of nuts."
"Awesome." Cole laughed. ~ Debra Anastasia

No, numb nuts. I've just learned some shit these last few years while I was away. You give people a little respect, and they rise up to meet you. Not always, but sometimes. Don't mistake it for me going soft. I'll just as soon pound someone's asshole into their brain if they fucking deserve it. Do you all understand? ~ Debra Anastasia