How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
As she approached the corner of the barn where the sugar maple stands, she plucked a few blackberries from a stray bush and popped them into her mouth. She looked all around her – back at the house, across the fields, and up into the canopy of branches overhead. She took several quick steps up to the trunk of the maple, threw her arms around it, and kissed that tree soundly. (20.4)
Sal doesn't tell us how she felt to see her mom kissing a tree, but we can guess that she loved it. How do we know Sal feels this way? Well, she just describes this scene with such detail and with such a love, as though she wants to do justice to every little aspect of it – her mom's behavior and the scenery.
Quote #11
At home, my father was slumped over the photo album. He used to close the album quickly when I came in the room, as if he were embarrassed to be caught with it. Lately, however, he didn't bother to close it. It was as if he didn't have the strength to do that. (20.42)
Why would Dad Hiddle be embarrassed to be caught with a photo album? We think it's interesting that we never catch Sal looking at it, too. Instead, it's like her whole imagination is one big photo album.
Quote #12
On the opened page was a photo of my father and mother sitting in the grass beneath the sugar maple. His arms were around her and she was sort of folded into him. His face was pressed up next to hers and their hair blended together. They looked like they were connected. (20.43)
Poor Dad Hiddle. He is so sad. It's very interesting to get to peek at the photo he's been looking at. We realize in this small moment what a great romance he had with Chanhassen Hiddle. They were so in love.