How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
And what's happening means that suddenly my life is completely off track. It's like a train wreck, and I'm pinned down, trapped. And it's starting to feel like this is permanent. What if I never change back to the way I was? What then? (8.34)
What's Bobby supposed to do with his life now that he's invisible? It's not like he can go to school or apply for a job if no one can see him. And forget making friends—he'll constantly be the freak in any social group.
Quote #2
"Exactly! And that's the part you and Dad still don't get: it's my life! And if I want to talk to someone and trust someone, then I'm going to, no matter what you think. It's my decision, not yours!" (13.16)
Bobby's life may be pretty limited now, but that doesn't mean that all his decisions should be taken away from him. His parents act like they can just step in and control his life, but he's not going to let that happen.
Quote #3
"It was like I became invisible. I could see myself, I couldn't see me going to dances or college or grad school, couldn't see myself becoming an archaeologists. I was never going to get to see the pyramids or the Valley of the Kings. And I couldn't even see getting married or having kids, or anything I used to wish about. Everything just disappeared." (13.44)
When Alicia went blind, it was as though her whole life and future was taken away from her. All the dreams that she took for granted were suddenly gone, so now she has to make new dreams for herself, with her disability in mind.
Quote #4
When I woke up this morning, I got scared. Not scared like the last four mornings. Not scared by the sudden rediscovery that my body is missing. I got scared because I woke up already knowing that I'm like this. That means I'm getting used to it. Nothing's changing, and I'm just rolling along, going with the flow. (14.11)
What if Bobby's life just stays this way forever and nothing ever changes? That would mean that he wouldn't be able to go back to school, or go to college, or get a job someday. He'd just be stuck with his invisible body and no future opportunities.
Quote #5
She hangs up and turns to me, cold and serious. "Don't answer the phone, Bobby. If Dad isn't around or if I'm not home, just let it ring. Do you understand?" (17.3)
Bobby's life and movements are already super limited by the fact that he's invisible, but now he has to worry even about making phone calls or getting on the Internet. It's like his whole world is shrinking. Bummer.
Quote #6
She says, "Well maybe it's not crazy, but so what? Let's say you could actually find someone else who's invisible, then what? What good does that do?" (17.46)
Alicia may not understand why Bobby is so dead set on finding out if there are other invisible people out there, but she'll still support him in achieving his goals. Because that's what friends do.
Quote #7
"If I get independent enough, she can go back to work without feeling guilty all the time. That's my big goal. Then maybe I can stop feeling guilty about ruining her life." (18.22)
Alicia hopes to be independent one day, but it's not even just for herself that she has this dream—she wants it for her parents, too. If she can just take care of herself again, then that means that her parents will be released from the responsibility.
Quote #8
Then I hear Alicia's laugh, complete with that little snort at the end. I follow the sound to a glass-walled conference room where she's sitting with a bottle of Snapple and a thick blue folder on the table in front of her. Alicia's smiling and nodding, moving her head to follow the voices of the people at the table. She looks like she could have just graduated from college. With honors. And three proposals of marriage. (21.15)
When Bobby spots Alicia in that conference room, she seems way too happy for someone who's on a job interview. But that's because she's finally meeting people like herself—people with a disability who don't want to give up on their lives.
Quote #9
But this meeting she just had? These people she's met and talked to and laughed with? This is something that she's done on her own. It's part of her life, not mine. It's got nothing to do with me. (21.17)
Bobby suddenly recognizes that Alicia may have come with him to the Sears headquarters to help him with his goal, but that she ended up finding something for herself as well. And that's a good thing.
Quote #10
"… It's… it's because I talked with those people about being blind and working… like really working in a real job at a big company and everything. I mean, some lady at the Lighthouse came and talked to me about all the jobs there are for blind people, but that was like a year ago, and I didn't believe it had anything to do with me. But today, it was different. And it was so new. To think about myself that way." (22.105)
Now that Alicia's met other people with disabilities who have their own lives, she can see that her opportunities are bigger than she originally thought. That's exciting, but it's also pretty scary.