Teams in the other Celtic League countries are playing in front of seven and eight thousand. We are not getting an advantage from being at home.

The four teams that got byes in a 16-team league got penalized. You're not playing 16, 15, 14, and 13 anymore to get warmed up and get used to tournament play in Madison Square Garden. You're playing what turns out to be a five seed in the NCAA Tournament. And they've got a game under their belt in Madison Square Garden. Fatigue is of no issue. ... I don't care if you have to do it Tuesday night. Do 1-16, 8-9. I [feel] strongly about that.

Players on the all-league team usually have the benefit of playing on wining teams, and Solomon has not had the advantage of playing for a winning team.

They were not going to break at the end like some teams in this league. I don't think this team ever felt like it could catch up because (South Alabama) held it together and didn't fold.

If you can see your path laid outin front of you step by step, you knowit's not your path. Your own path youmake with every step you take. That'swhy it's your path.

Wow, hi,’ Eight says, and when he speaks it’s with his own voice.

It’s him. It’s really him.

Marina nearly doubles over with a delighted sob. She collects herself quickly, though, and grabs Eight first by the shoulders, then on the sides of his face. She pulls him in close.

‘You’re warm,’ she says in wonder. ‘You’re so warm.’

Eight laughs easily. He puts his hand over Marina’s and gently kisses the side of it.

‘You’re warm, too,’ he says.

‘I’m so sorry, Eight. I’m sorry I couldn’t heal you.’

Eight shakes his head. ‘Stop, Marina. It’s okay. You brought me here. It’s – I can’t even describe it. It’s amazing in there.’

Already, I see the energy spreading outward from Eight’s heart. It races through his body, fissures opening on his arms and legs. He doesn’t seem to be in any pain. He just smiles at Marina and looks at her like he’s trying to memorize her face.

‘Can I kiss you?’ Marina asks him.

‘I really wish you would.