How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Besides, it's not like my education is some kind of priority with my parents. They quit keeping track of my future when they divorced, and that was way back in the Precambrian Era. (1.2)
You know how your parents are supposed to look out for you, reminding you to care about your future when you'd rather just be untagging all the gross pictures of yourself on Facebook? Yeah. Not so much in Sutter's case. No wonder he can't think past the next drink.
Quote #2
Our parents didn't know where we were and they didn't care. It was spectacular. (4.21)
Sutter is talking about his and Ricky's 5th grade adventures running away from scary dogs and stealing beers. Nothing better than parents who can't be bothered to keep tabs on their 10-year-old sons, right?
Quote #3
So I'm like, "Hey, I'm ready to celebrate somebody's stepfather getting kicked out of the house since my mom won't kick mine out." (6.37)
Uh. Okay … but isn't the house Geech's? And isn't Geech a basically decent, nice guy, instead of an alcoholic druggie like Tara's stepdad? Seems like Sutter might have more problems with the idea of a stepdad than with his actual stepdad.
Quote #4
Being born eight years apart, Holly and I never were very close. She used to tell me that she was the reason our folks got married and I was the reason they got divorced. (13.12)
Yikes. Talk about sisterly love: this is a seriously mean things to say to your little brother. No wonder Sutter and Holly don't have a good relationship.
Quote #5
She's pissed off enough to actually throw me to the crazy suicide bombers. But I guess I can't be surprised after the way she ditched my father. (18.20)
Okay. (1), Sutter really identifies with his dad. (2), you'd think that finding out what a scoundrel his dad is might make him stop identifying with his dad. Instead, it just solidifies his attitude. #daddyissues
Quote #6
But my number one biggest fantasy was that my parents would get back together. (27.9)
Hm. At least this fantasy doesn't involve superpowers, like most of his fantasies. Of course, as soon as we meet Sutter's dad, we realize that it's just as fantastical—because Sutter, for all that he wants to live in the now, is just stuck in the past.
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.
Quote #10
"Anyway, that's enough about my so-called family. They're too depressing."
"That's okay." She reaches over with her good hand and squeezes my fingers. "I'll be your family." (63.35)
Aimee's offer isn't good enough for Sutter. He feels that genetic ties are too strong – you can't choose your family, you're just messed up by them.