How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I want to look so I can keep an eye on her. We're getting along, Nat and I. It's peaceful to spend time with her out here. Sometimes I even tell her stuff that's bothering me. I don't know if she understands, but she's quiet like she hears. (25.2)
Moose loves his sister a lot, but it can be hard to have a friendship with her. In really rare moments, he feels like they're actually communicating with each other, getting along rather than him making sure she doesn't get into trouble. Moose knows that although it feels like she understands him, this might not be the case—but it's a comfort to pretend anyway.
Quote #8
Natalie is holding hands with a man convicted of some awful crime. It's so strange, so awful and so… normal. Natalie doesn't look weird. She's my older sister. A sixteen-year-old girl holding hands with a man not much older than she is.
This is terrible.
This is good. (33.81-83)
Moose is horrified by this strange friendship between Natalie and the convict. Natalie doesn't really have any relationships with anyone, including her family, so Moose isn't exactly thrilled that the only person she feels comfortable around on the planet is a convict on Alcatraz Island. What can we say? Friendships can be unlikely. Plus, here Moose sees his sister in a different light—almost as if she were an ordinary sixteen-year-old.
Quote #9
We stay outside for the longest time. Counting and cataloging rocks and shells. Piper and I are Nat's helpers, doing exactly what she tells us to do. I've never known Piper to take orders from anybody before, but she is now. We are a team and Nat is in charge. (34.1)
Moose and Piper have a rocky friendship—as in, most of the time they're at each other's throats. But sometimes having a common goal helps. When they're both taking care of Natalie, even Piper understands that this is an important task. And it sure is helpful for Moose to have some assistance. This is definitely a bonding moment for these two.