Quote 13
Lou Ann was staring at me, transfixed. "You know, I think you're the first person I've ever told this to that understood what I was talking about." (7.89)
There's more than an old Kentucky bond to draw Lou Ann and Taylor together. Despite all their differences, these two just get each other, plain and simple.
Quote 14
I thought of Esperanza, her braids on her shoulders. Esperanza staring at the ceiling. She would be lying on a cot somewhere, sweating the poison out of her system. [...] All of Esperanza's hurts flamed up in my mind, a huge pile of burning things that the world just kept throwing more onto. Somewhere in that pile was a child that looked just like Turtle. I lifted Estevan's hand from my ribcage and kissed his palm. It felt warm. Then I slid off the sofa and went to my own bed. (9.91)
Uh oh. What to do when your friendly feelings start hatching into butterflies in your stomach? Taylor's budding friendship with Estevan is soon complicated by her more-than-friendly feelings towards him—and by the fact that he's married, and his wife just tried to commit suicide. This is what the "It's complicated" button is all about. But in keeping with The Bean Trees' wholesome vibe, Taylor isn't about to act on her warm fuzzies: she has too much respect for both Estevan and Esperanza for that.
Quote 15
Estevan took off his shirt and lay back against the front of the boat, his hands clasped behind his head, exposing his smooth Mayan chest to the sun. And to me. How could he possibly have done this, if he had any idea how I felt? I knew that Estevan had walked a long, hard road beyond innocence, but still he sometimes did the most simple, innocent, heartbreaking things. As much as I have ever wanted anything, ever, I wanted to know how that chest would feel against my face. I looked toward the shore so he wouldn't see the water in my eyes. (15.23)
Whereas Taylor's friendships with Lou Ann and Mattie come relatively easy, being a good friend to Estevan is a whole 'nother kettle of fish. Nothing spoils a friendly canoe trip like unrequited love!