Dad: "That's a lot of work."
Me:
Dad: "I'll get some leaf bags from the store" (77.6-8)
We like this moment for the same reason. We can see how much Melinda makes their house a home. When Melinda cleans the yard, Dad takes it as a sign that she cares about the home and the family. This softens him and makes way for a better relationship.
"I don't know where you picked up that slacker attitude, but you certainly didn't learn it at home. Probably from the bad influences up here. (55.22)
You don't know the half of it, Dad. But that's part of the problem isn't it? Dad is at least on the right track, but he doesn't know where to turn for answers, or how to get Melinda to talk to him. Maybe he's even afraid to learn the truth.
Quote 3
"She's jerking us around to get attention." (54.12)
Mom thinks Melinda is being deliberately difficult and asking for attention in a spoiled, immature way. Why do you think she rushes to this conclusion, instead of assuming something happened to Melinda to make her need extra attention?