How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
She'd go out of her way to avoid it, or she'd wait me out, or she'd just plain ask me to get out of her way. I couldn't bring myself to say anything about it, so I'd just move. What were you supposed to say anyway? Hey, Mom, am I disgusting? Am I diseased? How come all of a sudden you can't stand to touch me? (3.14)
John's dad might be the one who left, but his mom abandons him all the time by refusing to touch him. To John, this is a big deal because it makes him feel diseased and gross. It's pretty terrible.
Quote #2
How long would it take my parents to notice if I escaped? It's possible they never would. Mom would be happy I'm staying in my room, periodically calling up the stairs to tell me she'd left a few bananas in the kitchen for me, some cheese. (4.20)
It's sad to think about, but John feels neglected by both of his parents. He doesn't think they'd notice if he up and left one day, but when he does flit off to the convention without informing anyone, they practically call out a search party. Maybe his feelings of abandonment aren't reality, but instead just in his head.
Quote #3
"I know you can. You can do without me, too." I got up and smacked the chair into the table. "By the way, I don't care what your excuse is. I'll never be old enough to forget what it felt like when you walked out and left us." (6.37)
John's dad tries to explain his position, but as far as John's concerned, nothing can make it okay that his dad left when John was ten years old. We get it: He was abandoned and wants to hurt his dad back. Still, though, his dad picks him up every weekend, so maybe he's not trying to leave after all.