How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
If I was brave, I would look full at them and say I'd like a little taste of that. Then I'd take that bottle and put it straight up to my lips, take a long, hard drink of that stuff and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. If I was brave, I'd slide one of my hands past the waistband of my pants and just stand with it there like they do—holding on to whatever. (1.20)
Really, Toswiah/Evie? Of all the things you'd do if you were brave, you'd act like the dudes on the street corner? Seems like an odd choice.
Quote #2
If I was brave, I could belong somewhere.
My name's Toswiah, I'd say. Toswiah Green. Have you ever heard of me?
But my name is Evie now. And I've never been brave. (1.21-23)
Toswiah/Evie thinks of bravery as a prerequisite for belonging. Perhaps what she really means is that you can only fit in when you are able to be yourself—and being yourself requires the bravery of being vulnerable.
Quote #3
If Green says a word, a raspy voice said, we'll kill him. I held the phone away from my ear, then closer again, pressing it hard against my head. The voice went away then. A minute later, there was a dial tone. Then the loud beep and another voice telling me that the phone was off the hook. I couldn't hang up, though. Even though the beep pounded into my ear and my hand hurt from holding the phone too tight, I couldn't hang up.
When Mama came into the living room a little while later, she found me standing there, my face twisted up in horror, tears streaming down my nose and into my mouth. (5.2-3)
We admit we probably wouldn't be feeling too brave ourselves if death threats from the cops started coming to our house. No shame, Toswiah/Evie. No shame.