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Quote by Armistead Maupin

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Tales of The City

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Author

Armistead Maupin
Armistead Maupin

Armistead Maupin is an American writer renowned for his detailed portrayal of the gay community's life. His most famous work is the 'The Tales of the City' series, which uses fictional narratives to depict the social changes and characters' fates in San Francisco from the 1970s to the 1990s. more

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“Obadiah and I were married on that lanai," I tell him "--the night before Timothy was resurrected. I thought that I'd be with him forever…I thought that I was his, and that he was mine...I thought, I-I-I thought--" "Shhhhhh," Arik reassures me. "I understand now, I do…Benediction made me feel much the same way, Ja? I felt that there was no life without him…but there is, Brian...don't you see? I forgave Beni' everything, even when he hurt me; even when he killed me. Well, not this time. Never again. It does not mean that I don't love him--I will always love him--but I love myself, too. At last, I love me. That's what I have to show you as your brother and your friend, Dear.”

BrianCorinthiansObadiahArik
Book:Corinthians
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“But what about my house in Heaven?" I asked, my tone soft and piteous. "Whatever would I do there? It's filled with my memories of Obadiah. We built it together with our own hands. We laid the marble and carved the statues. I sewed the curtains, the bedclothes and the tapestries. I even created the flowers and the landscaping which surrounded our grand mansion beside the sea…" I begin to sob, and Arik pulls me close. I rest my cheek against his chest and close my eyes. "Wh-When we first got to Heaven--me an' Obadiah--we were all each other had. Everyone else was still down on earth, mournin' us. Our physical bodies had been destroyed by Hana's guillotines. Timothy knew that his own death was comin', and he had specifically asked for the two of us to go and make a place for him in Heaven. When we arrived, Heaven was beautiful, but empty. I was suddenly able to see again, and the colors…my heart just danced, y'know? I began to create right away: houses, flowers, animals…it was glorious. I was never happier. It filled up my heart and pushed out the anguish an' guilt that I felt about leavin' all of you behind on earth to suffer. Obadiah and I were filled with so much joy then. I had never seen him so happy. An' the horses, Arik…the horses were his…beautiful, winged creatures, completely dedicated to him, but forever free...he would never have dreamed of restraining them. We would sit on the lanai and watch them...these beautiful creatures, who had nothing in their hearts but love…" I snuggle closer as he presses my head against his chest and weeps with me.”

BrianCorinthiansObadiahArikLanai
Book:Corinthians
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“...But I am the most horrified at the slim young man who is upon his knees, clad in the same white trousers as I, his long, black hair framing his face like soft, shining curtains as he rests his head on his clasped, shackled hands and prays. "Brian," I sob, my anguish causing my voice to break. "I don't want you in this place..." He raises his head and pulls me down beside him. His sightless eyes seem to look straight into mine. "You aren't alone anymore, Obadiah," he says gently. I weep, and take him back against me the best that I can, with my shackled wrists, and we rest against one another...two vessels ready for the last journey. "I couldn't let you go without me, 'Baddy," he says softly. "I'd never find a love like yours again, even if I lived for a million years! There is only one you. When a person is gifted with a love like this, it should be defended at all costs..." I weep then, for real...for this precious child, who will pay the ultimate price for loving me...how he must love me, indeed...”

ExecutionBrianObadiahSouthern CrossWinter Ball
Book:Southern Cross
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“The same is true for you. You need to take inventory of who you are, what you’re built for, and what you’re chasing after. You have to look at your life and connect with your failures and shortcomings and the fact that you are built to reach greatness. Stop running in the wrong direction and take the time to be honest with yourself about where you are in life and whether your current path will lead you to your lighthouse.”

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Book:Suck Less, Do Better: The End of Excuses & the Rise of the Unstoppable You
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