alive was the hard part

'Was it hard? I hope she didnt die hard.'

Sethe shook her head. 'Soft as cream. Being alive was the hard part. Sorry you missed her though. Is that what you came by for?'

'That's some of what I came for. The rest is you. But if all the truth be known, I go anywhere these days. Anywhere they let me sit down.' 

'You looking good.'

'Devil's confusion. He lets me look good long as I feel bad.`

- Beloved, Toni Morrison (1987)