How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I had been scared once. Truly scared for Papa. It happened two summers ago. (19.16)
Recalling what happened when her father was stopped by the police isn't like Delphine's other memories. It doesn't take place in flashes or spurts, and instead it's one, fluid narrative. Maybe that's because it was so scary at the time that Delphine remembers every second of it.
Quote #8
I wondered if she missed Miss Patty Cake at all. How she loved, loved, loved Miss Patty Cake long before she could walk. She teethed on Miss Patty Cake's arms and legs, ate her hair when she didn't know better, squeezed her, slept with her, fed her, and sang to her. Seven years of loving Miss Patty Cake and now not one mention of her. (24.23)
As Delphine thinks back on the huge role Miss Patty Cake has played in Fern's life, she wonders whether Fern remembers all the good times with her little doll. What do you think is up with this?
Quote #9
Why couldn't I remember seeing Fern being born? Telling my mother not to cry. Wiping Fern off with the dishtowel. Where were those flashes of memory? (32.33)
You'd think you'd remember something as life altering as watching your little sister being born, but Delphine doesn't. Maybe this is because she connects Fern's birth with their mom leaving, which was scary and sad for her. Memory is a weird thing. It doesn't always make sense or act logically, you know.