"I was twenty-two. A teak switch of a girl. I had finished college. There were not many jobs. The economy had punctured like a tire. Obama had just won a second term."
The quote reflects on the difficulty of securing a job during the Depression. During a financial crisis, many companies close down, and those that survive must downsize their workforce. Normally, during a recession, the cost of production and operations triples, forcing many companies to close down. The United States of America experienced a recession in 2010. The narrator was lucky to secure a job during that economic shutdown, but most of her friends remained jobless for several months.
"Thanks, my dude. I will think about it."
The quote emphasizes the narrator's confidence upon realizing someone can notice her sexuality. The narrator is lesbian, and she is sexually attracted to women. The main challenge LGB individuals face is a lack of recognition and appreciation. Under normal circumstances, the LGB community is discriminated against. Therefore, the narrator is intrigued to hear Thom call her "dude," which implies that at least some people are noticing her sexuality. In addition, the quote acknowledges that the LGB community needs love and support from society.
"It was fall when I first messaged Marina, those early cold days, and she did not reply."
The quote stresses the significance of never giving up. Since the first day the narrator met Marian, she has been thinking about how to approach her and ask for a long-term sexual relationship. However, Marina is initially uninterested and intentionally ignores her messages. The quote is significant because it shows same-sex relationships on campus are not new. The narrator does not give up until she can express her feelings.
