How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
No way.
We're thinking about her.
That's different.
Why?
Because we're not in a fountain in Rome on a hot summer night with gorgeous Luigi. (15.1)
In a conversation with Bailey from the past, Lennie makes the totally valid point that if their mom is living the exciting explorer's life they're dreaming about, then she probably has better things to do than think about her kids. What Lennie's not saying (but might be thinking) is that the fact that they love their mother doesn't necessarily equal her loving them back.
Quote #2
"Gram says she'll come back," I say, my stomach knotting up, thinking of her coming back right now. Thinking of Bailey trying so hard to find her. Thinking of slamming the door in her face if she did come back, of screaming, You're too late. Thinking of her never coming back. Thinking I'm not sure how to believe all this anymore without Bailey believing it with me. (23.57)
Whoa, Lennie—what you're saying and what you're thinking are really different. Maybe you're trying to convince yourself that what Gram told you is true.
Quote #3
Joe smiles, looks at me so warmly, I forget about everything else. "You're cool," he says. "Forgiving. Unlike dickhead me." (23.60)
Joe seems to think the way Lennie sees her absent mother says something about her personality. Do you think Lennie has a forgiving nature, or does her perception of her mother come more from the way she's been raised?