Lucas: made a list of what each character brought and what it allowed them to remember such as the scar on the father's face; made categories - tangible things and intangible things like songs and stories; the scar is a constant reminder of the past he doesn't choose to bring with him, but he can't run away from it because it is a part of who he is; "whenever people ask what happened to his face, he would have to tell a lie, a lie that would remind him of the truth

Jim: If he hadn't had the scar he wouldn't have had to tell anyone including his wife - he didn't even tell her until after they were married. The only thing holding him back.

Emily: The scar help him accept his past, having it, lying about it, helps him accept his past.  (HDYK?)

Sam F: (16) scratches chin and scar, appears less threatening. At first he was upset by it because he didn't want to be reminded (upset with himself); once he accepted it, it was important to him and helped him accept the fact of what he had done (HDYK?)

Joanna: tried to leave that past behind, won't truly be forgiven because he carries the scar with him

Jim: (232-33) "he would have done anything to keep her with him...when he got home, stumbled, fell asleep, didn't care about cuts, happy she was there, make decision in the morning...(237) finally escaped, tell her the truth later once he told her other things" Wasn't in love with her when he met her, but she was the reminder of his new life and he needed to take her with him.

Sam F: had to have things his way, addictive personality, never lose the personality, never stopped wanting to have power or hurting people  (HDYK?)

Emily: her having him was her miracle, she was obsessed with miracles, starting over in NY she values as the biggest miracle she has witnessed, that's why she stays in the relationship  (HDYK?)

Lucas: she is the only one to stick by him; she thought God had sent her to find him, not thinking about her brother anymore; first chapter is the only one where the characters try to take steps to make peace with their past. As the book unravels... (HDYK?)

Jim: even though she found out he had killed her brother, interesting that she could forgive and even love him; ever seen a show when the victims parent forgives the killer, they are able to face their pasts, but are on common ground so can do it together  (HDYK?)

Joanna: when you have to reconstruct the story, then you get involved in the story and really have to understand what they went through; 68% Haitians didn't approve of foreign policy (whose? when?) - W's policy toward Haiti and Haitian immigrants; 1988 Haitians didn't think the world understood Haiti

Sarah McN: reason for writing the book, truths can be hidden, but not forgotten; (68) elevator doors closing, staring at reflection

Sam F: D and B were indirect victims, have to live with the constant reminder (no parents, scars); their lives are proof of what happened, still living with the consequences

Lucas: not just living with it, they are obsessed, their lives are all about what happened; (132) "this man, where ever I rent or buy a house, I find him living on my street..." she lives a lonely life

Sam F: I don't think they consciously left behind anything. They subconsciously left behind their sanity.

Jim: wrote it for historical and can't escape your truth (140)

Emily: back to what S. said about N, (57) "framed drawing of baby, dozen dried roses..." She is not trying to forget her past, she is trying to bring it with her, learn from it, honor it

Jim: why does she ignore her parents? I think that even though they were with her emotionally, she doesn't want to get emotionally attached again, because she is afraid of losing something else; saves the messages on the cassettes so she is trying forget and remember her past

Sam F: got the letter but is ignoring them because they haven't accepted her decision - HDYK -

Riley: How could A accept her husband, maybe she feels as though she killed her little brother so she can accept her husband for killing people HDYK

Lucas: (240) "when they arrived in NY, introduced as wife, collaboration, friendship...love not like her daughter..." She didn't marry him out of sympathy, understanding - she was doing it because she didn't have anyone else to turn to

Riley: they are already married when she finds out that he murdered her brother, that's why she can accept him

Joanna: they force each other to remember, despite whether she forgives him or they talk about it, they bring their pasts with each other