How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Mom slowly nods her head yes, and so do I.
Dad looks in my direction and says, "And you agree too, Bobby?"
Then I realize that Dad can't see me nodding. (1.47-49)
Nodding isn't enough to show that you're listening when you've gone invisible. Bobby learns this the hard way: He's going to have to speak up from now on if he wants to be understood.
Quote #2
"Well, how about this?" I'm shouting. "How about if I just disappear for a while? You two go ahead and do all the clear thinking you want to. I'll just drop out of sight—you know, lay low a little. Then I'll let you know what I've been thinking!" (1.61)
Okay, so maybe it's childish to throw a tantrum. But Bobby is so worked up by his condition that he can't see any other way to show his parents just how upset he is… and just how much he needs them to help.
Quote #3
I don't know what to say, and neither does she. The tape recorder is still talking, like a third person trying to keep the conversation alive. (10.13)
It's always a little uncomfortable when you first make friends, especially when they know that you're not like other people… because you're invisible. Bobby doesn't really know what to say to Alicia, but he does know that he needs someone to talk to, even if it's hard.
Quote #4
I put my hands up like I'm backing off. Which is stupid twice—first, because I'm invisible, and second, because even if I wasn't, she's blind. (10.29)
Since they're new friends, Bobby and Alicia have a little bit of work to do when it comes to being on the same page—especially with communication methods. He's really got to be more sensitive to the blindness thing.
Quote #5
I'm glad for the help, because all of a sudden silence seems scary. I mean, what Mom said was kind of true. I hardly know this girl. And when I talk, I feel like my voice sounds funny. (13.27)
Becoming invisible is already scary enough without trying to make friends. Bobby may be getting in over his head in trying to befriend Alicia and trust her with his life, but he can't back out now. It's too late.
Quote #6
And Dad's different. Or maybe I am. Or maybe it's both of us, because there's a lot less yelling. He talks, I listen. I talk, he listens. (14.14)
Maybe Bobby's dad is finally starting to see his son as an equal instead of just a little kid. It's taken fifteen years, but he's finally treating him with respect and having an open dialogue with him… all it took was for Bobby to turn invisible.
Quote #7
He's forgotten I'm in the room. Dad's off in science land with his pal the professor.
I feel my face getting hot, feel my jaw muscles tighten. I clench my teeth, biting back the anger. Because inside my head, I'm yelling at them, at both of them. (18.93-94)
Ugh. Don't you hate it when your parents act like you're not even in the room when you're trying to make a point? It's super frustrating for Bobby, who can't even wave in their faces to get their attention.
Quote #8
"No. My dad got me this tiny dictation thingy last year. It's like a notepad. I can record stuff and then play it back a couple times till it's memorized. My memory's gotten pretty good." (19.43)
Ever since she's been blind, Alicia's struggled to communicate and navigate the world. Her parents are doing everything they can to ensure that she can still do most of the things she used to though—even if that means she has to carry around more gadgets.
Quote #9
"Sure. Companies love it when… um… people like you apply for jobs."
The eyebrows go up. "People like me?" she says. "You mean people with disabilities, right?" (20.19-20)
Face, meet palm. Bobby is always putting his foot in his mouth when it comes to Alicia's disability. Maybe he should try not to be so obvious when pointing out that she's different because of her blindness.
Quote #10
See that? How I hope you like it? I'm just sure you are going on. Going away from me. Off into the big bright world. A whole life that's not near mine. Hurts. And then today. So close. And it felt like maybe you weren't going away. Like you came to see me. And that was scary too. (28.112)
Alicia has built up this hard shell around her, but is able to reveal her true feelings and be vulnerable in an e-mail that she writes to Bobby. She would never be able to say any of this stuff to him in real life, but when it's written, somehow it's easier.