How we cite our quotes: (Page)
Quote #4
When most Lackses talked about Henrietta and Day and their early life in Clover, it sounded as idyllic as a fairy tale. But not Gladys. No one knew why she was so against the marriage [...] but Gladys always insisted Day would be a no-good husband. (24)
Henrietta's sister Gladys seemed to be the only one who disapproved of Day and Henrietta hooking up; maybe she understood something more about Day's character than she could articulate or was willing to tell. We learn later that Henrietta suffers from very serious sexually transmitted diseases brought to her by her husband, which were the cause of her cancer (HPV) and her daughter's disabilities (syphilis) as well.
Quote #5
Henrietta seemed relieved, almost desperate, to see Elsie looking okay. That was the last time she would see her daughter—Emmett figures she knew she was saying goodbye. What she didn't know was that no one would ever visit Elsie again. (84)
Henrietta took great care of her older daughter and didn't want to place her in an institution. But as Elsie's condition worsens, Henrietta has no choice but to see it as a good thing. The loss of her mother probably sealed a horrific fate for Elsie, since the family then left her at the mercy of Crownsville doctors. No one ever came to visit her again, and patients without family are always the most vulnerable.
Quote #6
Gladys had come from Clover by Greyhound as soon as she got word Henrietta was in the hospital. The two had never been close, and people still teased Gladys, saying she was too mean and ugly to be Henrietta's sister. But Henrietta was family, so Gladys sat beside her, clutching a pillow in her lap. (84)
So despite the endless teasing about her inferior personality and looks, Gladys knows what it means to be family. This seems to be a theme for the Lacks family: despite the all the serious hurts, they stay together through the years. The exception may be Zakariyya and Day. We guess some things just can't be forgiven.