How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"No, James is much cuter," Laurel says. "But Polly thinks it's too obvious he doesn't have time for girls."
I think it's just as obvious that Link's time is similarly engaged, but I don't say anything. My brother's and James's lack of time for girls isn't something I've ever thought about in quite those terms. And the terms, spoken aloud by people I don't really know, sound different from when I make quiet note of them. I don't particularly like the way they sound spoken aloud, although I don't know why.
(4.12-13)
"Doesn't have time for girls" is an interesting way of putting it, isn't it? It doesn't imply he doesn't like girls, or that he specifically likes boys better, just that he's already pretty preoccupied with something else. But it's enough to make Ellen think twice about why Link and James exude such an exclusive aura.
Quote #2
But wouldn't I know? This is so ridiculous. It's one thing for me to respect Link's desire to leave important information unsaid. It's quite another for me to be unable to tell myself critical facts about the people I love. I will tolerate bad grades but not this kind of ignorance. Surely I can follow Link's rules but also find things out. I will ask Mom.
(5.3)
This is a pretty fair question. Ellen is really close to her older brother, so she's right in feeling like she should know something as big as his sexual orientation. However, is it super important to their relationship? Does she have to know in order to remain close?
Quote #3
"I don't know if your brother is gay," Mom says, pouring milk into the bottom of her cup. "It's clear to me he and James love each other. Link seems happy more often than not."
For this we had to get tea and cake?"They are both very young," Mom says. "I'm not sure they know." (5.14-15)
Gotta love Mom. She has a clear bottom line: If he's happy, she's happy. She doesn't need to put a label on it, at least not until things start going sour.