How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
We got in the car, and I sat in the front seat. Mom's seat, I thought, and closed my eyes. (2.13)
Dynamics in the Byron family change dramatically after the death of Christine. Ben sits in the front seat now, which means he has a new role and responsibilities.
Quote #2
"Everybody I've talked to thinks it's a great idea."
"But you haven't talked to everybody," I said.
"Who else?" Dad asked.
"Us," I said. "You haven't talked to us." (3.46-3.49)
In the first weeks and months after his wife's funeral, Jim Byron is super-selfish. He puts his own needs over the needs of his children.
Quote #3
The movers were emptying the family room bookshelves into boxes marked FAM RM. […] It was as if they had stuck a giant vacuum hose to our front door and everything we lived with every day was getting sucked out. (5.20)
Ben and his brothers are dealing with a lot of upheaval in their lives. They have to leave their family home super-quickly after their mom dies…which isn't great for the grieving process.