How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I look over at Joci to see if she gets how awkward this is. I'm not sure, but she looks like she's as scared as I am about how this is going to go. (3.45)
Corinna's first lunch with her friends on the first day of eighth grade is particularly scary. Nobody knows whether to acknowledge that she's motherless or pretend nothing happened.
Quote #2
But he hasn't answered the part of my question I've been too scared to ask. The part about what happens with me if something happens to him. The part I really need him to answer. (4.29)
This is a conversation Corinna needed to have with her dad before Sophie died—or at least shortly thereafter—but he might not have it figured out yet. After all, this is a pretty major arrangement to make.
Quote #3
When you don't know what's going to come at you, it makes it hard to feel safe. It's like trying to run across a street before the speeding truck that appears out of nowhere hits you and makes you go splat. (5.20)
All kinds of things unexpectedly trigger Corinna's fear, from her mom's favorite yogurt to seeing other mothers dropping their kids off at school. She never knows what's going to hurt next.
Quote #4
We haven't done a major food shopping together since Mom died. I feel a sense of danger, like I'm in a movie and a tiger is hiding in one of the aisles. (5.21)
Seeing her mom's favorite foods for the first time since the funeral is excruciating. It's not like Corinna's not always thinking of Sophie, but she doesn't need extra reminders.
Quote #5
I still have stomach pains. I don't think that was one of Mom's symptoms, but I can't help but worry that the different aches and pains I get might be some kind of cancer, or something else really serious. (9.23)
Corinna's stomachaches are from stress, but she'll probably be nervous about aches and pains for the rest of her life. After all, when Sophie went in for the surgery that revealed her cancer, Corinna's dad said it was just to make sure nothing was wrong.
Quote #6
They don't understand that my life has changed forever. Forever. They also don't have a clue what it's like to be terrified that your other parent might die. That could be the worst part. I don't have a backup plan. (9.40)
It's not Corinna's job to come up with a backup plan—it's the job of the adults in her life. They need to work it out and tell her as soon as possible.
Quote #7
Dad's spacey-ness makes me feel sick and scared. We really could have been hit or hit the cop, we could have died, or we could have killed someone else. I'm worried that he isn't paying attention to important stuff, and I need him to get his act together. (9.105)
What's worse than a parent who's putting your life in danger? One who's endangering his own.
Quote #8
I'm surprised to hear that besides Clare, there are other kids like me […] But I also feel scared. What would we have to talk about and what if I don't feel comfortable? (10.18)
There's no way Corinna could feel less comfortable than she does with the kids who haven't lost a parent. We're glad she decides to go to Ms. DuBoise's group.
Quote #9
I feel so alone and scared sometimes, scared that the pain will stay with me forever, that I won't ever go back to having a normal life. (14.1)
Corinna's probably right about this—after all, her version of normal means having a mom. But having her first crush is a close second; at least she can still feel excited about some ordinary-people things.