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Quote by Jessamyn West

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Jessamyn West
Jessamyn West

Jessamyn West was an American writer born on July 18, 1902, and died on February 23, 1984. Known for her profound portrayal of rural life in the American Southwest, West's works are characterized by humor and satirical insights into character and social change. more

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“You know those afternoons," he asks, drawing a shaking breath, "where you’re just going along, doing fine, and then afternoon comes and it feels like you’ve just got the wind knocked out of you and everything is wrong?" He sighs and slowly pushes himself so he’s sitting upright. His shoulders are slumped. "That’s all," he says. "It’s just one of those afternoons." We are silent for a minute. Then he lies back down on the couch. I should say I love him. I should say it will be all right. But it won’t. I walk down the hall to my bedroom. I lie down on my side and stare at the wall, the blue-flowered wallpaper next to my nose. Despite my best efforts, I start to cry. I know those afternoons.”

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