Hitting like a punch in the throat
Jake is determined to maintain his record of having the tallest Mohawk in town, but the task of achieving his ambition is not easy. Every morning he has to sit before the mirror and apply various ointments to keep his long hair in shape. Consequently, Jake realizes that maintaining his record is an uphill task. The author writes, "The reality of that hit him like a punch in the throat, as it often did when he sat in front of the bathroom mirror in the morning." Consequently, Jake must put more effort into maintaining his uniqueness. Jake's Mohawk makes him noticeable and distinguishable, and he is determined to have that record.
Feeling like a chastised child.
Alice knows that being late at the Sunnyvale Bee Company is a disaster because of the massive volume of customers who wait for their orders to be served. Unfortunately, Alice arrives late, and she tries to push her way past other customers who arrive ahead of her. However, others yell at her, and she feels like a child. The author writes, "Alice flushed with embarrassment and drew back, pressing her lips together and feeling like a chastised child." Alice remembers that such moments should be recorded in the future so that she does not repeat similar mistakes. Alice also notes that it is good to chat with others to pass the time as she waits for her order to be called.
Smelling like an old man or stranger
Jake is driving very fast, and he is excited that he will be graduating soon to join college and possibly get out of the small town of Oregon. The weather is hot outside, and the car is stuffy. He realizes that his smell has changed. The author writes, "The words echoed in his head, and he turned the music up as loud as it would. He could smell his sweat, which was different now than it had been before. He smelled like an old man, someone sick, a stranger to himself." The simile shows the circumstances leading to Jake's accident.
