“The sudden silence is horrifying, and it seems to catch my mother off guard. A tiny whimper escapes her, the sound amplified in the stillness. Surely, my father hears her now; surely he and I can't go on pretending she isn't crying.” I CanSeemsMotherFatherSoundSilenceCryGoes OnTinyPretendingStillnessSilence Is Book:Double Identity Source: Double Identity
“A thousand times today I've started to open my mouth, started to squeak out, "Can you tell me...? But then I'd look into the front seat, at my mother's silent shaking, my father's grim profile, the mournful bags under his eyes, and all the questions I might ask seemed abusive. Assault and battery, a question mark used like a club. My parents are old and fragile. I'd have to heartless to want to hurt them.” WantLooksMightEyeTodayUsedMotherAsksFatherFearParentHurtFrontsThousandMouthsMarkSilentClubsHis EyesSeatsBagsFragileAssaultShakingGrimProfileHeartlessBatteriesAbusiveQuestion MarkProtectiveness Book:Double Identity Source: Double Identity
“Unlike my mother, my father does not cry quietly. His wails roll out like a wave of pain, and I scramble to roll up my window. My mother cannot hear that. I cannot bear to hear it myself. I am not used to my father's crying. I've had no time to harden my heart against him.” HeartDoePainUsedMotherFatherCryBearsMy HeartWindowWaveProtectiveness Book:Double Identity Source: Double Identity
