How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I don't know, either," I said, and reminded myself that Mary Beth had engaged in some sort of romance with my married uncle and was not deserving of sympathy. (37.34)
When Mary Beth comes to see her at Subway, Pearl feels sorry for her—but then she remembers this chick cheated with her uncle and remains quiet and loyal to Robby. Here's the thing, though: If Pearl wasn't so invested in remaining loyal all the time, maybe the truth about Mary Beth and Hoyt's relationship—or lack thereof—would have come out sooner.
Quote #8
The smoke was air and the air was smoke, like standing upwind of a bonfire you couldn't see. The reeds along the river were scissor gray, and water flowed through them with no particular hurry except where wind ruffled the surface. I could see the upper story of trees bending near Amiel's house, and I wanted to scream, "Amiel," but something told me to wait. I tore off my shoes and started sloshing. (44.3)
If there was ever a test of loyalty, this is it. Everyone is evacuating the area, but what does Pearl do? She goes in after Amiel. We can see here in no uncertain terms that Pearl is deeply devoted to Amiel, for better or for worse. She doesn't care that she's lying to her family and risking her life.
Quote #9
It was good, in many ways, that my phone was dying. A near-dead phone keeps you from knowing, for a while, that your father, during the largest evacuation in state history, doesn't call to see how you are. Not once. Nada. No thought whatsoever for your safety. (44.49)
Ouch. When Pearl's dad doesn't even bother to check up on her during the fire, she gets his message loud and clear: He doesn't care about her in the way that she thought he did. What's more? He's not even there for her after the fire either.