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Then the children went to bed, or at least went upstairs, and the men joined the women for a cigarette on the porch, absently picking ticks engorged like grapes off the sleeping dogs. And when the men kissed the women good night, and their weekend whiskers scratched the women's cheeks, the women did not think shave, they thought stay.
Amy Hempel
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects on the simple yet profound moments of life and the connections between people.

In this quote by Amy Hempel, the imagery of children going to bed and adults sharing a cigarette on the porch highlights the ordinary yet intimate nature of relationships. It suggests that in the small, mundane actions and thoughts of daily life, deeper feelings of connection and longing are present, as seen when the women prioritize emotional closeness over physical appearances.

Themes

LifeRelationshipsConnectionIntimacyMoments

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be shared during a family gathering to emphasize the importance of connection.

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