How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I put my hands on her shoulders. "I just realized something. I really really like you. You're amazing, and I so want to be your boyfriend, because of what you just said, and also because that shirt makes me want to take you home now and do unspeakable things while we watch live-action Sailor Moon videos. But but but you're totally right about saying the honest thing. I think if you keep the box closed long enough you do kill the cat, actually. And—God, I hope you won't take this personally—but I love my best friend more than anyone in the world."
She's looking at me now, squinting confusion.
"I do. I f***ing love Tiny Cooper."
Jane says, "Um, okay. Are you asking me to be your girlfriend, or are you telling me
that you're gay?""The first one. The girlfriend one. I gotta go find Tiny."
I stand up and kiss her on the zigzag and then bolt. (17.39-44)
Here's the moment where Will really becomes a man. He finally says what he feels with Jane—he likes her, he really likes her. And he realizes how he's felt about Tiny all along. He loves him, man.
Quote #8
willupleasebequiet: i just wish it wasn't all trial and error.
willupleasebequiet: because that's what it is, isn't it?
willupleasebequiet: trial and error.
willupleasebequiet: i guess there's a reason they don't call it "trial and success"
willupleasebequiet: it's just try-error
willupleasebequiet: try-error
willupleasebequiet: try-errorwillupleasebequiet: i'm sorry. are you still here?
WGrayson7: yes.
WGrayson7: if you'd caught me two weeks ago, i would have had to agree with you fullheartedly.
WGrayson7: now i'm not so sure.
willupleasebequiet: why?
WGrayson7: well, i agree that "trial and error" is a pretty pessimistic name for it. and maybe that's what it is most of the time.
WGrayson7: but i think the point is that it's not just try-error.
WGrayson7: most of the time it's try-error-try
WGrayson7: try-error-try
WGrayson7: try-error-try
WGrayson7: and that's how you find it.
willupleasebequiet: it?
WGrayson7: you know. it.
willupleasebequiet: yeah, it.
willupleasebequiet: try-error-try-it
WGrayson7: well... i haven't become that optimistic.
WGrayson7: it's more like try-error-try-error-try-error-try-error-try-error-try... at least fifteen more rounds... then try-error-try-it (18.28)
This is pretty grown up stuff. Both Wills realize that they have a lot of trying and failing ahead of them—and that's okay. One day they're going to get the hang of this love thing. One day.
Quote #9
me: i'm sorry, maura.
maura: i'm sorry, too.this is why we call people exes, i guess—because the paths that cross in the middle end up separating at the end. it's too easy to see an X as a cross-out. it's not, because there's no way to cross out something like that. the X is a diagram of two paths.
i hear a honk and turn to see gideon pulling up in his mom's car.
me: i gotta go.
maura: so go. (18.69-72)
This is actually a really mature moment on will's part. Maura has been unforgivably terrible to him, but he decides to talk to her anyway and try to make things right. If he keeps giving her the silent treatment and hating her, he can't move forward. Now, though, maybe he can let all that go and just live without resenting her every second.