Important quotes from the novel, the crossover
1. "Basketball is my favorite sport, I like the way they dribble up and down the court." - This quote highlights the narrator's love and passion for basketball, setting the tone for the novel.
2. "Dad says that everyone has to take risks. We have to because we have a rhythm. A heartbeat. People have to jump into things and take chances. Like pop, with his poetry. Like me and basketball." - This quote emphasizes the theme of taking risks and following one's passion, as the narrator discusses his father's choice to pursue poetry and his own dedication to basketball.
3. "He's wearing those Prince songs I love so much, diamonds and pearls all over his uniform. That's what my brother looks like to me." - This quote demonstrates the strong bond between the narrator and his older brother, highlighting the admiration and love he feels towards him.
4. "The memories are the lotion/the memories are the lotion/the memories are the lotion." - This repeated phrase reflects the narrator's struggle to cope with the loss of his father and the power of memories in helping him heal and carry on.
5. "It's not just my dad's life that's on the line here. My life's on the line, too. If I lost my dad, who would tell me what boys don’t know and men don’t see?" - This quote underscores the narrator's fear and uncertainty about the potential loss of his father, emphasizing their close relationship and the impact it has on his own development.
6. "I closed my eyes and saw the dream again. Plus, Dad has taught me how to convert pain into words." - This quote showcases the narrator's growth and development, as he learns how to channel his emotions and experiences into poetry with the guidance of his father.
7. "Basketball is in my blood." - This powerful statement reflects the narrator's deep connection to the sport and his determination to excel in it. It emphasizes the significance of basketball in his life.
8. "I pat my dad's hand and tell him I'm here. That I'm with him. I tell him how we love him. How I want him to fight. To live. To stay. To be brave. To not leave us." - This emotional quote showcases the narrator's love and support for his father during a difficult time, highlighting their strong bond and the narrator's desire for his father's recovery.
9. "Sometimes you wanna just lay it all down and give up. I know. I've been there, too. But inside you there's someone who can keep playing." - This quote offers a message of resilience and determination, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and pushing through challenging times.
10. "Dad's smaller than usual—broken—I want to collect up each of his pieces, all the broken pieces of my dad—and I want to hold them down so they stay glued." - This poignant quote symbolizes the narrator's desire to support and protect his father, highlighting the love and admiration he feels for him.