The fragility of Mom’s life is the center of mine.

This quote appears in Chapter 1 as Jennette reflects on the impact Mom’s brush with cancer has had on the family. As she turns six, Jennette’s birthday wish is simply that Mom will stay alive for another year. While this seems poignant, it also sets off alarm bells about the mother-daughter relationship. Jennette’s existence is apparently so deeply intertwined with Mom’s well-being that her own identity and experiences are shaped by Mom’s condition. Overall, the quote conveys the complex and burdensome nature of Jennette’s relationship with Mom, revealing that Mom’s mental and physical health dominates and defines Jennette’s life.