Slam Dreams, Hopes, and Plans Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

I'd always hoped it would all be a bit more planned than that. I'd always hoped that we might have talked about it beforehand, so that when it happened we were both prepared for it, and it would be relaxed, and special. (2.234)

Whoops. Sam learns that when it comes to sex, not everything is planned. Considering how much her parents blame him afterward, it's funny that he wants to make sure his first time is special and Alicia is the one who is more than ready to give it up.

Quote #2

It's weird, knowing that me being born messed her up. It doesn't bother me, really, for two reasons. First of all, it wasn't my fault, it was hers—hers and Dad's, anyway. And second, she's not messed up anymore. (3.65)

Sam has a long history of ruined plans and dashed hopes in his family. Living with the fact that he came along unprepared—and at a bad time—haunts him, no matter what he claims. Slam asks us to think about how our own decisions impact others, even our kids.

Quote #3

You see how it worked? She was trying to protect me, but what she was trying to protect me from was a question about whether I had any future at all. (4.18)

When Andrea asks Sam about his future, Alicia comes running to his defense. At first Sam thinks it's nice, but then it dawns on him that the only reason Alicia does so is because she doesn't expect him to have much of a future at all. Sam's not sure which hurts more, no future or the fact that no one believes in him.