How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Mum had always been strange, had never liked Nick, but it was Dad's job to take care of Mum, just like it was Alan's job to take care of Nick. (3.3)
In all families, whether they're functional or dysfunctional, people tend to take on certain roles, and the Ryveses are no exception. Early on Dad protects Mum, and Alan protects Nick. And when Dad's gone? Well the jobs shift a little over time, but the Ryveses remain stuck together by family ties—even though none of them are actually blood relatives and two of the family members can't stand one another. Family can be strange.
Quote #2
"[…] I know you're worried," Alan said. "Don't be. How many people with first marks have we seen? How many first marks have you removed? How is this different?"
Nick turned his gaze from the window to Alan.
"This is different," he said. "This is you." (3.50 – 52)
Ever heard the phrase close to home? That's why Nick's particularly troubled by Alan's mark—because it's hitting close to home. We rarely worry about things so much as when they begin to affect people we know and love, people with whom we share a home, people we consider family.
Quote #3
Alan had reached out and smoothed Nick's rumpled hair. "You're mine," he said, in a trembling young voice that already had a ring of Dad's about it. "And I'm going to take care of you." (6.157)
After Daniel Ryves dies, Alan, at the ripe old age of eleven, becomes the man of the house, and it's at this time, shortly after his father's death, that he utters these words to Nick. Clearly the importance of family and his obligation to the other members of his household was impressed upon Alan early, and you know what? That's actually another characteristic that's common in dysfunctional families: children who play parental roles from an early age.