How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I can't say I blamed Big Ma for feeling the way she did. I certainly didn't forgive Cecile. (1.14)
Cecile abandoned the girls when they were little, and for what reason? Because she couldn't name Fern. Or perhaps to be part of a movement in California. Or maybe it's to write her precious poetry. To Delphine, it doesn't really matter the reason—there isn't one good enough in her mind to ditch your kids.
Quote #2
Mommy gets up to give you a glass of water in the middle of the night. Mom invited your friends inside when it's raining. Mama burns your ears with a hot comb to make your hair look pretty for class picture day. Ma is sore and worn out from wringing your wet clothes and hanging them to dry; Ma needs peace and quiet at the end of the day. We don't have one of those We have a statement of fact. (3.6)
When the girls are debating what to call Cecile, Delphine explains that they should use her name or "mother" when explaining who she is to people. In Delphine's mind, Cecile is her mother since she gave birth to her, but she's not anything more cuddly and nurturing than that.
Quote #3
Was she ashamed she had three girls she'd left behind and had to explain? Who are these girls? Yours? Why don't they live with you? Don't ask no pity from us. We were asked the same questions in Brooklyn. (3.51)
Things go from bad to worse when the girls actually reunite with their mom. Delphine doesn't expect Cecile to bust out the welcome wagon or smother them with hugs and kisses, but she thinks she deserves to be acknowledged and treated fairly at the minimum. Instead it's almost like their mom is embarrassed to even be seen with them.
Quote #4
"I didn't send for you. Didn't want you in the first place. Should have gone to Mexico to get rid of you when I had the chance." (4.21)
Oh, snap. Cecile isn't warm and fuzzy to the girls (or anybody for that matter). Just in case they had any doubts about her feelings toward them, she makes it crystal clear: She doesn't want them or care about spending time with them. Hearing that makes Delphine feel abandoned all over again.
Quote #5
As many times as Big Ma said it, I never fully believed it. That no one, not even Cecile, needed to have their way so badly or was so selfish. That she could leave Pa, Vonetta, Fern, and me over something as small and silly as a name. That Cecile left because Pa wouldn't let her pick out Fern's name. (8.34)
We feel for Delphine when she discovers that Big Ma was right about Cecile—sort of. All along, Delphine had been hoping her mom had a good reason for leaving the girls. It turns out, she didn't. Sure, she went to find herself and express her true self through her poetry, but that just isn't good enough for Delphine.
Quote #6
"Who you gonna tell? Cecile? She don't care about a blue teacup. Big Ma? Papa? They're miles and miles away, and we don't have enough dimes. Who you gonna tell?" (14.48)
The girls realize that Cecile doesn't care about what they get up to during the day—as long as they stay out of her way, Cecile is happy. The funny thing is, the girls are actually visiting to spend time with their mom. Go figure, right?
Quote #7
Each and every one of us knew the feeling of having no mother clapping for us in the audience. (22.31)
It wasn't just sad for Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern when their mom left—they feel hurt all over again each time they should have a mom to turn to, but don't. It's a major bummer.
Quote #8
Don't cry. Stay Quiet. Want nothing (23.3).
Thinking back to when Cecile was around, Delphine realizes that the abandonment started long before Cecile actually left. Her mom never really wanted her to make a fuss or do anything annoying. It dawns on Delphine that she never had a mom who took care of her or let her be a kid. Ugh.
Quote #9
Maybe I was too young to really take hold of it all, but for what seemed like the first time ever all I could think about was my own self. What I lost. What I missed. […] Even after telling me all of this, I was still mad. Maybe I'd been mad all along but didn't have time to just be it. Mad. (32.35)
When Cecile tries to explain why she left, Delphine just gets angry. She's usually level headed and calm, but she can't let this slide. After all, she doesn't want to give her mom a pass for hurting her all those years by skipping town. Delphine thinks it might be one of those things that makes more sense when she's older and wiser, but we're not so sure it will.
Quote #10
It was a strange, wonderful feeling. To discover eyes upon you when you expected no one to notice you at all. (33.28)
In a rare caring moment from Cecile, Delphine watches her mom wait around until they are on the plane to go home. Notice how much she likes her mom's eyes on her, watching to make sure she's okay. It's as if that's what she's been waiting for this entire time: her mom to care about her and stick around long enough to show it.