How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
It's so quiet and serious while we eat. I used to love it when the three of us got silly and laughed at stupid stuff. (5.23)
Laughter is the first thing to go after Sophie's death. It will be a while before Corinna and her dad find anything funny again.
Quote #2
Aunt Jennifer's kids and husband came with her from California, and my cousins who live in England came, too. I hadn't seen them in a really long time because they live even farther away than the California cousins. (7.19)
One of the few positive things—perhaps the only positive thing—about funerals is that they bring families together.
Quote #3
Even my grandparents—Grandma and Bapa, Mom's parents who moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona a few years ago, and my dad's parents, Gigi and Pop Pop, who live in Annapolis—didn't seem to know what to say to me. (7.22)
Everyone who loved Sophie is going through their own pain, but they all realize that being a daughter without a mom is the worst pain of all. Also, lots of adults find it easier to talk to other adults than to kids.
Quote #4
It stinks that she lives in California, especially now. Aunt Jennifer reminds me of my mom. They are sisters, of course. Were sisters? (7.22)
Is Aunt Jennifer still Sophie's sister after Sophie's death? Is Corinna still her daughter?
Quote #5
I don't tell Joci, but I worry about my dad feeling too lonely. (9.77)
Corinna doesn't realize that her dad might welcome some alone time. He needs a break—even just overnight—from being a single parent, and everyone needs time to be alone with his or her grief.
Quote #6
I miss the old dad, the one I knew before Mom got sick. The one who laughed and made me laugh. I feel like I should be the parent and make him go out with his friends or play tennis or something. (10.66)
Corinna's dad is a mess, and he doesn't have the same daily access to his friends as Corinna does because he's an adult. She doesn't need to be his parent, though—he needs to be hers.
Quote #7
I'm also worried I'll forget the sound of her voice. It's already fading a little, even though I have her cell phone message. We do have some movies Dad made, but that's not the same as hearing it in your head. (14.6)
Losing touch with your own memories is awful. At leas Corinna can still talk to her mom's voice mail, though it's obviously not the same. We've got loads more to say about this over in the "Symbols" section, in case you're interested.
Quote #8
Uncle Patrick and Aunt Vicky, my father's brother and his wife, are both trying to be thoughtful and make an effort to talk and sit with me away from my loud and hyper cousins. All the grown-ups ask me the same question: "How's school?" (17.8)
Just as Corinna's school friends feel uncomfortable talking to her about the deep stuff, so do her adult relatives. Knowing how to talk to the grieving is never easy, no matter what age you are.
Quote #9
I think people are avoiding talking about Mom, which is really weird, because we're with our own family. It's like everyone is trying to protect one another by not bringing her up, but it's so obvious that she's on everyone's minds. (17.9)
Yeah, what's up with that, anyway? If her relatives said what they were feeling, it would give Corinna permission to do the same.
Quote #10
I hope you will forgive Grandma and Bapa. I know they want to stay close and connected to you. They love you and your dad very much. Family connections are so important. (55.3)
Thank goodness the Burdettes have Aunt Jennifer to be their mediator, even if she lives far away. Email: the great equalizer.