"That after a birthday, everything is somehow going to be different, you are going to be different; you’ll be new.”
Isabel is having a conversation with the narrator about the expectations of life. According to Isabel, life treats you with a rude shock every day because most things do not go according to expectations. Isabel uses the analogy of birthdays. Isabel argues that every person's expectation that things will change for the better after a birthday. Regrettably, Isabel says that such expectations are not met. The reader learns that it is good to be prepared for any life outcome as you age because sometimes things do not go as planned or expected.
“He is pretty gorgeous.”
Debora is making this sentiment to express her inner desire to have Rajiv as her partner. Deborah is conversing with Isabel, but she is not aware that she is also pursuing Rajiv. Isabel agrees with Deborah's sentiments that Rajiv is pretty gorgeous though she is jealousy. Deborah thinks that Rajiv is in love with Samantha, who is a teacher at SUNY. Isabel believes that it is time to claim what belongs to her and make her stand firm so that everyone can know that she is the right woman for Rajiv, but she does not know where to begin. Her failure to let her friends know that she is in love with the narrator's brother allows them to chase after him.
“Who knows? I’d be surprised, though. He doesn’t look like a terrorist.”
Deborah is responding to Isabela’s question on whether Rajiv is a real terrorist. The two agree that he is gorgeous and attractive because he is irresistible. Isabela suspects that Omar might be involved in terrorist activities because of the nature of his work. However, she has no proof, and her love for him blinds her. Deborah is not suspicious of him because she argues that he does not look like a terrorist.
