How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Line)
Quote #1
Mama lost one baby before I was born. Her name was Lila and she died when she was a month old. Something about her lungs. Something about her blood. We don't talk about her much. But there are pictures. Sometimes Mama kisses my palms and calls me God's gift. (4.31)
Talk about turning lemons into lemonade. Instead of feeling bitter about having lost a child, Frannie's mama just showers more love on her two kids and sees them as special miracles.
Quote #2
"Are you?" Rayray asked him. "You aren't saying you're like God's son, are you?"
"I don't think it matters," Ms. Johnson said. "What matters is—"
"Aren't we all God's children?" Samantha said quietly. She looked around the room, taking us all in. "Each of you," she said, "is a true child of God." (4.38-40)
The kids in Frannie's class are confused as to whether Jesus Boy is really Jesus, or if he's just some kid who wants to go by this odd moniker. Is he here to teach them important lessons and show them how to be good Christians?
Quote #3
I don't know if I believe in miracles. I think things happen and we need to believe in them. But sometimes, out of the corner of my eye, I'll catch Lila smiling at me, her head covered with jet-black curls, her lips curling up over her tiny toothless mouth, her tiny hands reaching. (5.3)
Even though Frannie isn't always sure about where she stands on religion, she still believes that her dead sister is watching over her family. She's not a creepy spirit—she's more like Casper the Friendly Ghost.