How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"I have nothing to hide from Ellen," James says. "About anything. Can you say the same?"
Furious, Link turns to me. "I am not gay," he says. "James is gay.""She didn't say anything about being gay," James says. "My God, she's like your clone. She didn't even utter the word."
"She implied it," Link says. "You told me to answer her and I did. I answered her implied question."
"Then answer this: What makes me gay and not you?" James asks.
"You've slept with people," Link says.
(5.67-72)
There's a lot going on in this quote. James just wants to DTR (Define the Relationship), because, thanks to Ellen, the question is finally out there. Link, on the other hand, is furious. He's angry because James has slept with other people; he's angry because he's not sure if he's gay or not; and he's livid because he's being forced to confront his own confusion and shame.
Quote #5
"What about being gay?" James asks. "Could you be more specific?"
"Is it the sex that makes you gay? Was Link right?"
I am about to ask why Link hasn't slept with anyone. Why Link hasn't, for instance, slept with James. If sex were the one thing separating me from James, I would do it. Wouldn't Link?
(6.11-13)
People have been wondering what makes someone gay for quite some time now. It's not something that is easily defined but that also feels important to clarify when you're in situations like this.
Quote #6
"I'm not an expert," he says, "but I don't think sex is the thing that makes someone gay."
"What does?"
"It's more whom you love," James says. "The how and why of it. And if what you get back is worth what you give up."
What is he talking about?
"Is Link?" I ask, putting aside the question of what makes someone gay.
"Is Link what?" James asks.
"Gay," I say, being specific. "Is he gay?"
"He doesn't know," James says. "Which makes him afraid he is. Which makes him swear he isn't."
"Are you?" I ask, realizing yet again that I am not going to get an answer about my brother. I might as well find out about James.
"I don't know either," James says, pouring us both another glass. "It doesn't scare me, though."
(6.20-29)
Why is it so scary for Link, but James is seemingly unperturbed? What is the difference between them? We're thinking it's a combo of family and personality.