Chapter 1: Is Daddy Coming with Us?

·         “That is one of only two memories I have of my father.  The other was when I watched him die.” (Page 11)

This quote reflects the theme of absent father s because it shows that even as a grown man, Moore is still haunted by the tragedy of his father’s death.

      ·         “My father’s love of Nikki had forced Bill to step up to his parenting responsibilities – it was almost as if Bill cared more because another man did.  With my father no longer in the picture, the pressure was off.  It was as if my sister lost two fathers that day.” (Page 15)

This quote shows the theme of absent fathers because it reveals the unfairness of Nikki’s situation when her supportive father died and her biological father refused to take his place.

      ·         “Wes got himself ready and went to check on his mother again.  He felt he had to take care of her: his father had been a ghost since his birth…Wes was the man of the house.” (Page 18)

This quote shows what little influence Wes’s father had on him, as Wes was forced to step up and be the one to take care of his mother.

      ·         “But the relationship between Mary and Bernard didn’t even make it to their child’s birth.  Since leaving high school years prior, Bernard hadn’t found a steady job.  He spent most of his time searching for himself at the bottoms of liquor bottles.” (Page 23)

This quote reveals that Bernard’s alcoholism was the main issue getting in the way of his relationship with his son.

      ·         “Wes didn’t understand why, but he felt a tension in the room.  Mary looked down at her son and uttered the words she had never said before and never thought she would have to say.  ‘Wes, meet your father.’” (Page 25)

This quote shows that Wes’s father had been absent all his life because both Wes and Mary did not understand why he had come to visit.