Runner - Post 3

"'I'm dying. I've got to start my life over. Away from your father. You understand why, don't you?' I shook my head no, but I did understand." p.22

This is what Chance's mother says to him the first time he found out his mom and dad are getting divorced. When she says "I'm dying" she doesn't mean it literally, but in the sense that if she doesn't get away from there, she won't be happy and she won't enjoy her life. The fact that Chance says he "shook his head no" but actually understood what she was saying, could mean that he just couldn't accept the fact his parents weren't going to be together anymore. Many kids go through this experience in their lifetime, and they do not want to accept it so they just ignore it. I think this quote really shows that fact.
Another thing the author could be saying is that parents don't think their kids will understand why when they tell them, which is why Chance's mom asks "You understand why, don't you?"

This quote just got my attention for all those reasons and I thought it was something to think about.