How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
That day was the first time Charlie couldn't come out and play—like, the first time ever. Ever. I went to his front door, rang the doorbell, and waited on the bench on the porch until his mother came out. (2.5.32)
Vera remembers vividly the first time that Charlie can't come out and play. He gets in trouble with his parents and suddenly can't come out to play for a week, which worries little Vera to no end.
Quote #5
It wasn't always this way, you know—a sleazy spot to get laid. Back when things were still civilized, the rich folks from town used to come up and stay their weekends in grand hotels, and ride on the gravity railroad. Ladies in long skirts, with parasols, and strong men in striped three-piece suits with gold picket watches. (2.7.1)
The pagoda remembers better times in their little town. Apparently, back in the day, the place was a classy little spot for fancy picnics. Now it's just a spot for drunk teenagers to make out. What a disappointment.
Quote #6
The older I got, the more I realized she'd never really been all there to begin with. The older I got, the more realized that my happy-Mom memories were often fabrications invented to make me feel better about her being chronically unhappy. (3.5.29)
Not all memories are accurate. Vera realizes as she gets older that her memories of her mom being happy at home were all fake; her mom was always a little distant and looking for a way to leave her life behind.