Goodbye Stranger

“If you keep your own body out of sight, you could be nine years old again.”

The author establishes the motif of physical bodies as the characters witness the physical changes that take place during adolescence. The unnamed narrator still feels like a child though her body looks more like a teenager’s, and she is not yet ready to let go of her childhood and embrace all the complications that come with physical and emotional maturity.

“Bridge heard her mother telling her father that Emily’s ‘growth spurt’ made her think of those silent four-year-olds who suddenly start speaking in full sentences.”

Mrs. Barsamian’s comment, while humorous, draws attention to the changes in Em’s body that seem to happen overnight. Children grow at different rates, and some, like Em, appear to undergo drastic changes much more quickly than others. Em’s physical maturation draws attention from the boys at school, but it is noteworthy to see how females notice the changes as well.

“But Bridge understood that life didn’t balance anymore. Life was a too-tall stack of books that had started to lean to one side, and each new day was another book on top.”

The author employs figurative language to describe the overwhelming sensation Bridge feels as her life is changing. Using a metaphor, the author compares adolescence to an unbalanced, toppling pile of books. The metaphor conveys the disorienting feelings teens can have as their bodies and minds are changing, and these changes can cause shifts and realignments in friendships that can leave teens feeling lonely and isolated.

“Your old middle school is hot lava.”

The childhood game of hot lava becomes a motif for the unnamed narrator in the Valentine’s Day narration. Hot lava symbolizes something off-limits or dangerous. By referring to it as her “old” middle school, the narrator implies that something damaging may have happened in middle school. 

“Why don’t you and Patrick actually talk to each other?”

Tab highlights the glaring problem with Em and Patrick’s relationship. They do not have any interpersonal communication and do most of their “talking” online or through photos. Tab’s comment exposes a common issue with teenagers’ lack of communication and foreshadows the drama over the photo that ensues later in the novel.

“Behind the actual stars, there’s that light dusting the sky. Whenever you looked at that dust, you felt huge, as if you were a part of everything.”

The mystery narrator remembers fondly her time at camp and recalls a significant moment when she looked up at the stars. Seeing the vastness of the universe makes her feel small yet comforted. The author establishes a motif of belonging; the narrator may struggle to find a place to belong among her peers, but she is certain of her place in the solar system.

“There was a loud band, like a gun going off, and Bridge’s body locked itself down. She could not move.”

Bridge experiences post-traumatic stress from her accident. Loud noises trigger a physical response in her body, and her muscles tense up until she cannot move. It is the body’s way of shielding her from another accident, but the sensations are debilitating and upsetting to Bridge.

“I want you to feel vulnerable. Do you feel vulnerable?”

Mr. P gives the tech crew a taste of what it is like to be on stage, but the exercise serves as a metaphor for the teenage experience. Bridge does not enjoy being in the spotlight or having extra attention. The act of performing on stage requires a tremendous amount of vulnerability, much like being in a relationship. Bridge must learn to let down her guard and let people in to deepen her friendships.

“That was what Jamie said whenever the conversation died down at dinner: ‘Awkward silence.’ And when their mother said, ‘It’s comfortable silence, Jamie.’”

Middle-grade fiction often focuses on the divergence between adult thinking and children’s thinking. Some teens do not like awkward pauses in conversation. However, adults who have more experience with varied social situations recognize the pauses as normal aspects of conversation.

“Sherm raised his head and the light hit his eyes. Now they looked greenish-blue mixed with light brown. Bridge thought they looked like tiny planet Earths.”

As Sherm and Bridge spend more time together, Bridge’s attraction to him grows. However, she is not certain if it is a romantic or friendly attraction. By spending time together in person, she and Sherm appreciate one another far better than they could via text or direct messages. The author uses a simile to compare Sherm’s eye color to the entire planet, symbolizing the feeling of possibility Bridge sees in Sherm and their budding relationship.

“A quick electric shower broker over her.”

Bridge is used to uncomfortable physical sensations as her post-traumatic stress often triggers a paralyzing of her muscles. However, this sensation is new and pleasant. Seeing Sherm makes her feel alive instead of frozen.

“I am helping you. I’m helping by saying stop.”

Bridge speaks powerful words to Em in imploring her to end the photo exchange with Patrick. Em misconstrues her friend’s admonition as a lack of understanding or empathy, but her infatuation with Patrick makes her oblivious to the dangers of the situation. Though Bridge later makes a mistake by helping Em take the photos, in this instance she gives her friend sound advice.

“Then the house seemed to exhale.”

Sherm describes the way his house feels after the chaos of the morning routine ends and he is alone with his grandmother. The author uses personification to describe the house as a living being that breathes to highlight the vibrancy of Sherm’s multi-generational living situation.

“And we can’t really understand this card until we look at the past and the future. You have to look at them together.”

Evan’s tarot reading strikes a chord in Bridge as she sees her situation reflected in the message. Bridge spends a lot of energy trying to forget what happened to her in the past, but it has become a part of who she is and to deny it would be denying a part of herself. To face the future, she must come to terms with her past.

“Welcome to my planet […].”

The author develops a motif of space, planets, and the universe throughout the narrative. Bridge and Sherm’s first real conversation began over discussing the moon landing and the Apollo 11 theme becomes prevalent in their relationship and the storyline. Sherm calls his home his “planet” because his family provides a strong foundation for him. Nonno’s abandonment shakes his world, his home life, to its core and Sherm struggles to find his footing. Taking Bridge to his house and inviting her into his world is a big step in deepening their relationship just like the Apollo 11 mission was a large step for humankind.

“I guess my question is: Is the new you the stranger? Or is the stranger the person you leave behind?”

Sherm’s letters give a glimpse into his interior life and show that he has the same identity struggles as his peers. Sherm understands his life is changing in uncomfortable ways and he worries, like the others, that the change is permanent and that he can never return to the way things once were. His situation is another example of a character dealing with coming-of-age issues.

“Bridge had never put it into words before, but she wanted to, and the dark helped.”

The darkness of her room allows Bridge to be vulnerable with Jamie about her fears because they can avoid uncomfortable eye contact. Jamie also feels comfortable sharing a part of himself and the story of the accident in the safety of darkness. The absence of light typically implies fear and anxiety, but here, the cover of darkness provides an environment for vulnerability and honesty.

“Learn to fight?”

Em, Tab, and Bridge learn that conflict is unavoidable. Their friendship will not survive just on an oath sworn over a Twinkie. It must be built on trust, honesty, and loyalty and sometimes healthy conflict with a firm resolution paves the way for stronger friendships in the future.

“That’s us, up there with her. I hit a switch, and just like that, she knows she’s not alone.”

Mr. P’s spotlight metaphor speaks to the experience of many teens. While they often do not enjoy being in the spotlight, they do long to be seen and known. By shining a light on Em’s talent and acknowledging her as a person, Mr. P shows empathy and humanity to a hurting teenage girl. 

“Bridge knew why she was here. It’s why we’re all here […].”

Seeing Em’s performance serves as Bridge’s epiphany. She realizes that life is about connecting with others and that by helping another person find their reason for living, she also can find purpose in life.

“I think I see you too.”

Sherm and Bridge see each other from afar and walk toward each other on the street. The moment is a symbol of what Bridge has been questing after the entire narrative. How does one know when they have found their person? Bridge and Sherm not only see each other physically, but they see each other emotionally as well. This is a solid foundation on which to build a relationship.

“He said that the heart wrings itself out. It twists in two different directions, like you’d do to squeeze the water out of a wet towel.”

Sherm’s father’s description of the heart’s pumping process is a metaphor for relationships and life. Connecting with others can be a vital, life-giving process. However, it can also wring out a person physically and emotionally: Relationships are a hard but necessary part of life.

“Life isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you make yourself, all the time.”

Celeste’s epiphany allows her to see she has been living like a victim of her circumstances. Her decision to stop blaming Vinny for her problems and take ownership of her choices marks a turning point. It empowers her to face Gina and admit to her wrongdoing, paving the way for reconciliation in their friendship.