Quote by Jodi Picoult
She has never been a pretty crier. She sobbed the way she did everything else - with passion and excess. That she had managed to keep it inside her this long was astounding to James. He thought of pushing open the half-closed door and kneeling before his wife, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and helping her upstairs. He raised his hand, stroking the wood of the door, planning to say something to calm her. But what wisdom could he offer Gus, when he could not even heed it himself? James walked upstairs again, got into bed, covered his head with a pillow. And hours later, when Gus crept beneath the sheets, he tried to pretend that he did not feel the weight of her grief, lying between them like a fitful child, so solid that he could not reach past it to touch her.
Summary
This quote showcases the emotional turmoil experienced by both James and his wife, Gus. Despite witnessing Gus's intense sobbing, James realizes his own inability to provide wisdom or comfort as he grapples with his own internal struggles. This scene portrays the complexity of their relationship, with James ultimately retreating to bed, unable to fully connect with Gus's grief. The weight of their individual burdens is highlighted, symbolizing the emotional distance that separates them in their moment of shared sadness.
Topics
Grief
By Jodi Picoult
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