The similarities to this and Stitches were striking to me. I seemed to be swimming in a lot of the same thick emotional waters, although the two situations are quite disparate. 
 The illustrations were integral, setting the tone for a sad and powerful story that knocks the wind out of you. 
 And props goes to one of the best first lines, IMHO: 
 The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. 
 Favorite Quotes 
 Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak? 
 She turned, gave him a flash of starfish hand as a wave, and said, "Be good." 
 You do not write your life with words, the monster said. You write it with actions. What you think is not important. It is only important what you do. 
 (view spoiler)[You were merely wishing for the end of pain...Your own pain. An end to how it isolated you. It is the most human wish of all. (hide spoiler)]