How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Mom put down the brush in her hand. She looked at herself in the mirror, and I saw that it cost her something to stand up. But she did. She went over to Joe and put her hand on his shoulder. (13.51)
Being a part of a family—and a marriage—means that sometimes, you have to do things that you don't want to do. Evie's mom hates giving in and placating Joe when she thinks he's wrong, but she has to do it in order to keep the peace.
Quote #5
Then she put her hand out, her palm toward me. I put my palm against hers. We locked fingers.
"You and me," she said.
"Stick like glue."
"Just like Fred and Ginger do," we said together. (16.33-36)
Joe may be Evie's beloved new dad, but she and her mom have a bond that just can't be broken. They've gone through everything together—all of the hard times when Bev was a single parent and they didn't have any money—and now they have to stick together.
Quote #6
"Joe was a good bet for us, sweetie. I saw it right away. I thought, here is a place to rest. Make a real life. Pot roast and potatoes, church on Sundays."
"Did you ever love Joe?" I asked.
"Sure, baby," Mom said. "But not as much as you did." (22.13-14)
All this time, Evie saw her mother's marriage to Joe as one that was based on love. But really, she married Joe for the security that he offered—and for Evie. She knew that they needed someone who would take care of them. It was just the rational choice.