Both men are separated from their loved ones, which they both respond to differently. While Quoyle was upset and shocked of Petal’s passing, Miles was glad that he and Janine had divorced. Miles explains numerous times regarding Janine’s attitude; a reason for their divorce: She knew Walt pretty well, certainly better than she’d known Miles. Back when they got married, she hadn’t even known who she was, her own self, never mind her intended. At least now Janine knew who Janine was, what Janine wanted, and, just as important, what Janine didn’t want (Russo 64).
Miles Roby and Janine have a daughter named Tick. Miles relies on Tick for support, but she is also an independent person; different from many other students in her grade: “When Mr. Meyer asked Tick if she could live with these provisos, she wondered, as she so often did, at the strange world adults seemed to inhabit” (Russo 74). Janine is consistently envious over her ex-husband's and daughter’s close