Just Listen Language and Communication Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

I didn't want to lie to him. At the same time, though, I knew I couldn't tell him what had really happened—not here, not tonight. Maybe not ever. (14.30)

Annabel wants so badly to open up to someone, but it's really hard. After all, if she can't tell her parents what happened, how can she possibly sit down and say the right thing to Owen? How can she put it into words?

Quote #8

Kristen may have been mastering the art of true communication, but I was failing miserably. Not just with Owen, but with my mother as well, as I'd somehow, in the midst of everything else that was happening, agreed to do another Kopf's commercial. (15.80)

Annabel needs to speak up and tell people what's going on with her. By staying silent she's not giving anyone a chance to support her in her times of need—instead she's pretending that everything is a-okay when it's clearly not.

Quote #9

Kristen sighed. "I've just learned a lot about being more concise. As well as making an effort to hear what's being said to me. I mean, do you realize how few people actually listen these days?" (16.81)

How ironic. For Annabel, improved communication may mean speaking up more and expressing her feelings—but for Kristen, on the other hand, it means speaking less and listening more closely to what other people have to say.