Quote 10
My room belongs to an alien. It is a postcard of who I was in the fifth grade. It is a demented phase when I thought that roses should cover everything and pink was a great color. (6.6)
It seems kind of symbolic that Melinda doesn't like pink anymore. Pink is an innocent, girlish color, and she doesn't feel innocent and girlish anymore. At first, she's totally isolated from the Melinda she was <em>before</em> the rape.
Quote 11
Deprived of Victim, Mom and Dad holler at each other. I turn up the music to drown out the noise. (16.9)
Melinda's parents' fighting isolates her from them. Part of why they are fighting is because they can see Melinda has a problem, but they have no clue what it is or how to help her.
Quote 12
How can I talk to them about that night? How can I start? (33.10)
Having a secret can feel really lonely. Have you ever felt like this? If so, what did you do? Were you able to find a way or not? Do you feel good about your choice? Why, or why not?