How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"I needed your affection. I didn't think it would affect me. You are asking me to change without a word." (11.20)
In her poem, "You're Not Listening," Marisol explains her feelings to John in not-so explicit terms. She does love him, it's just that she doesn't love him in the way that he loves her.
Quote #5
She took a deep breath and looked me in the eye. "No, not… love. Some kind of deep… connection…" She put her hand over her heart. "Which is confusing. And that's why it has to be over now." (12.103)
Perhaps Marisol has a hard time explaining her feelings to John because love can't be explained; it's not something that you can create an algorithm for or define. It's about feelings that are messy and complicated.
Quote #6
But I did feel; that much was undeniable. Even though my stomach was twisted in a pretzel, and I hated myself for acting like such a blubbering fool, there was something else going on too. I also felt awake and alive and, in a funny way, almost lighthearted. It sounds dumb, but I felt like I'd been watching people run past me for years while I was tied up on the sidelines pretending I hated running anyway. And now I was finally untied, free to jump in and join the race whenever I wanted to. (13.27)
Love might be complex, but it also makes John and Marisol feel things they've never felt before—it makes them want to experience life. Before, they were guarded and jaded; now they are open to possibilities and willing to do new stuff.