“She leaned
down and looked at his lifeless face and Leisel kissed her best
friend, Rudy Steiner, soft and true on his lips. He tasted dusty
and sweet. He tasted like regret in the shadows of trees and in
the glow of the anarchist's suit collection. She kissed him
long and soft, and when she pulled herself away, she touched his
mouth with her fingers...She did not say goodbye. She was
incapable, and after a few more minutes at his side, she was able
to tear herself from the ground. It amazes me what humans can do,
even when streams are flowing down their faces and they stagger
on...” -The Book Thief