"I know I told you not to call me names like pretty or cute, but that was when I was a little girl. I still don't like fake compliments from people who just feel guilty that they're not handicapped.

"I'm not a girl anymore, Dan. I'm a woman and I think I can tell a sincere compliment, and I think I want somebody to notice when I'm trying to be nice to look at, even if I don't understand what that means."

"Rae, you're..." I started, then we sat in silence for a few heart beats.

"Am I nice to look at, Dan?"

"Rae, you're the prettiest girl I know."...