How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Thinking about it now—all the times she should have helped out, but didn't, how selfish she used to be—made Wendy feel sick. In the past, she had believed her mother was unreasonable, having all these expectations for her behavior. Living with Garrett, she almost missed them. She could do what she wanted now. But sometimes she wondered if it meant he was nicer, or just that he didn't pay enough attention to notice. (19.6)
Before, Wendy used to blame her mother for all of their fights. But now she realizes that she was at fault, too—she wasn't a good daughter. She was often selfish and difficult, and that makes her feel awful and guilty.
Quote #5
Times like this, Wendy, she said. She said this very quietly, which was the worst. I wonder what I did to raise such a selfish, ungenerous daughter. I wonder if I even know you anymore.
When she said that, Wendy actually felt scared. What if she really had turned into this awful person? (19.15-16)
When her mother tells her that she's being selfish and mean, Wendy is angry but she also is worried her mother might be right. What if all of their problems are her fault and she's changed into a bad person? Can she change back into someone who won't be so mean to her family?
Quote #6
Once Wendy started thinking about all the things she regretted, she couldn't stop. Riding Garrett's bike in the hot, dry air of Davis, out along the flat expanse of wheat-lined highway, the pictures of her mother and her kept coming back to her, like buildings she passed along the road. Diner… gas station… avocado stand… fight with mother. (19.75)
Poor Wendy is so guilt-ridden and consumed with all the memories of the times she let her mother down. She can't stop thinking about how she should have acted, how she should have treated her mother when she was working so hard to provide Wendy with a nice home.