How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I'm acting just like my mom, and I said I never would. But I guess when your family's screwed up, you're going to be screwed up, too." (44.54)
Aimee says this after Sutter gets all mad over her questions about his dad. But here's something funny: both Aimee and Sutter seem to think this is true for themselves but not for the other person. Maybe the worst part about a dysfunctional family is that it makes you believe you'll never get out of the "now"—spectacular or not.
Quote #8
He doesn't understand the first thing about family. If he did, he couldn't have left me sitting in my car in the rain outside his crummy duplex after I drove all the way down here to see him. (61.12)
Truth. Sutter's dad obviously doesn't understand the first thing about family. Thing is, we're not convinced Sutter does, either. For Sutter, "family" seems to mean "me." (Just think: would Sutter leave his mom or sister sitting in a car in the rain? Almost certainly—especially if he had to option to be drinking instead.)
Quote #9
"You saw what kind of guy my dad is – a big fat liar and cheater. The kind of dude that sheds his family like a snake sheds its skin. Are you sure I won't slither down that same rut?" (61.23)
Well, no. Aimee can't be sure. The only person who can be sure that Sutter won't turn out a certain way is Sutter himself. Of course, that would mean thinking about someone other than himself, or about some time other than the present or the past.