“Before that exact moment I don’t believe I had given much thought to the future” (2). Throughout the entire novel, Taylor did not think very far into the future. If she would have done this more often her life could have been so much different. For example if she wasn’t so tired when Turtle was dropped off into her car by a random stranger, maybe she would have went back into the restaurant and asked to call the police. Of course keeping the child made her get attached over time, but from the time of receiving Turtle, up to driving back to Oklahoma, Taylor did not look too far ahead. “‘There were two things about Mama. One is she always expected the best out of me. And the other is no matter what I did, whatever I came home with, she acted like it was the moon I had just hung up in the sky and plugged in all the stars. Like I was that good’” (13). One of the main themes in this book is motherhood, and Taylor believed she had the best mom ever. After becoming a mother herself so unexpectedly, Taylor is also a very good mom, without even realizing it. This quote also can go towards Lou Ann. She protects her son so much, and loves him with all her heart. “You never knew what kind of thing could be down there under that water” (46).
Even though Taylor was referring to being in water and not knowing what could be around her, I believe this quote means more. I think it is saying to be careful, and expect the unexpected. This novel is full of surprises and plot twists, just like everyday life. You never know what you’re going to have thrown at