How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
She asked, "Where's the baby?"
"Where's the baby? How would I know?"
"Stop playing, Strong."
"I'm not."
He looked over toward the empty baby bed. She realized he was as mystified as she was.
He said, "Maybe one of your sisters got her."
"Sadonia did come by yesterday asking to keep her, but I told her no."
"What does that mean to Sadonia? She comes in here and borrows your dresses and your hats without asking. What's to stop her from borrowing your baby?" (3.32-39)
Siblings, right? Always taking your stuff without asking… including your baby.
Quote #2
For the first time in her life, Abby was truly afraid. She felt uncentered. As long as she could remember, she had been waking up to the wonderful ring of her father's baritone voice, to her mother's tinkling soprano, to the calm, reassuring duet of her parents' conversations interspersed every now and then with an "Abby, are you up yet?"
Now that was changed. (7.71-72)
After the tornado destroys his shop, Patience heads out to look for Strong, leaving Abby to wait for him at home. As she waits through the night, Abby's sense of safety diminishes. With her mother out and her father reportedly off his rocker, she feels "truly afraid" for the first time ever, making it clear her parents are her anchors.
Quote #3
She saw a bus pulling out. She looked around the station quickly. Not seeing her father, she peered more closely at the moving bus. She recognized the back of her father's head in the row of seats.
"Daddy! Daddy!"
The head did not turn around. The motor of the bus roared.
"Daddy!"
The bus picked up speed.
"Daddy!"
She ran after the bus until she realized it was too far away for her to possibly catch up. Her father was too far away.
Homeward bound, her footsteps were dejected. Her legs felt heavy. Her head felt light. She felt dizzy and lost. (7.105-112)
After desperately searching for her dad, Abby finds him—but it's too late. If he hears her, he gives no sign, and if the bus driver notices her chasing the bus down, he doesn't show it, either. She's just a girl left chasing after a bus that's carrying her dad out of town after he's lost his mind. It's a truly heartbreaking moment in the book, and its physical impact on Abby makes it clear that she is truly upended.