How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"Let me guess," James asks. "They're still afraid you're gay."
So that's what it is. Fear. Dad's afraid Link's gay, and Mom's afraid Dad will be or already is handling it badly. It's not that either of them knows. They can't know anything for sure about Link. But the fear is everywhere. I do admire Mom, but I love James for saying clearly and fearlessly what is going on. I look to Link, who does not love clear and fearless speech nearly as much. (14.62-63)
So much fear surrounding love. Can love exist in a fear vacuum? Ooh, what would a fear vacuum even look like?
Quote #11
I watch expressions rush into Link's face, which makes it mysterious and beautiful. He is shy, thrilled, delighted, furious, ashamed, and frightened. Maybe he's not gay, but he loves James. I wish that loving James made Link as happy as it makes me. I wish I knew why it didn't. I look at Link's newly mysterious and beautiful face and think, There's nothing I wouldn't do for you.
Perhaps I love Link more than I can imagine loving James. More than Mr. Rochester loved Jane. The question that presents itself is what am I going to do about it? I am learning how to love James. Can I learn how best to love my brother? (14.89)
You would think that loving someone would come naturally, but Ellen is pretty awesome for figuring out that sometimes people need to be loved differently, and it's not always how you would like to be loved yourself. It's a bummer, though, that she's stuck feeling like loving Link and James is such an either/or situation.
Quote #12
I wonder if without me—without their useless insurance—they would shed their new armor. If I could make this happen, would it be the right way to love Link or just the wrong way to love James? (14.103)
Oof. Now Ellen's really stuck. By backing out to give them space, she might be giving Link the freedom to explore his feelings for James—but she would also be ignoring what James has already told her, which is that Link makes it too hard for him to love him. There's really no way for everyone to win in this situation.