Miss O'Brien: A History
- O'Brien (age 7): Mother, may I please have a macaroon?
- O'Brien's mother: What? Do you think you are some kind of lady or something? All posh and living in a big house on a hill? Do you think there's money in this hovel for some macaroons? Have some stew.
- O'Brien (age 9, looks up from her sewing): Mother, when I grow up, I want to marry a soldier and be a secretary.
- O'Brien's mother: Oh really? Do you think you can change your stars now, do you? You think you'll be some sort of learn-ed woman of class? You better get used to that sewing. You'll be fixin' things for the rest of your life.
- O'Brien (age 12): Mother, I don't think you should smoke.
- O'Brien's mother: Piss off. I'm smoking with my smoldering gay work husband. Someday, if you're lucky, you'll be able to find a minute from your pressing and dressing and sewing to step outside and have bitter conversations with yours.
