Throughout the book, Misty and Penny reach out to each other but always seem to miss. What do you think prevents them from supporting or helping one another?

Throughout the book, Misty and Penny reach out to each other but always seem to miss. What do you think prevents them from supporting or helping one another?

I think it's a combination of their respective ages and their outlooks on life. Penny's an adolescent and at that point where she's questioning pretty much everything.

They both are children, both have issues of abuse, neglect...

I think there's also the fear of opening up to someone - the chance they will make fun of you, like you less, think badly of you, etc.

I think this is often the case with siblings. I also don't think they had good role models to see what a loving relationship could be like for sisters.

I agree with ColoradoGirl. Misty and Penny were so neglected that they didn't have anyone modeling healthy communication, mutual respect, caring, or love for them. They had to find their own way as children. Most of their interactions are negative because no one is showing them how to positively engage.

The sisters miss the opportunity to connect because of their young ages, lack of communication, lack of healthy role models, and fear of vulnerability.

The sisters lived in different worlds in many respects. Misty's world was one in which fantasy played a role and Penny's world was a more realistic one. Misty was attempting to escape the reality of her world; whereas, Penny was experiencing her world as it was.