Lost and Lassoed

“Small towns wove complicated webs.”

Teddy’s mixed feelings about living in Meadowlark emphasize the difficulties and closeness of small-town life, with histories and relationships interwoven in ways that can be both consoling and confining. The word “web” represents the emotional complexities of Finding a Sense of Belonging—even in a familiar place—as one grows and evolves. Sage suggests that Teddy is forced to examine her identity in the larger community because small towns amplify the pleasures and conflicts of human interaction.

“[I]t felt like my happiness for my best friend and my sadness for myself were both staking claim in my chest, punching each other as hard as they could to see who would get knocked out first.”

Teddy conveys the emotional complexity of experiencing personal loss as she witnesses her best friend find happiness and love. The visceral imagery of her battling emotions depicts an emotional struggle. Teddy’s happiness demonstrates her genuine love and support for her best friend, yet her feelings of inadequacy and longing are also reflected in her melancholy. The physicality of the description embodies the tension of wanting to celebrate Emmy’s love while lamenting her own unfulfilled goals and the feeling that she’s losing her friend, introducing the novel’s thematic exploration of the Evolution of Relationships in Adulthood.

“One of the most annoying things about Teddy? She was familiar, even though I didn’t want her to be.”

Gus reveals his conflicted feelings about Teddy, emphasizing the tension between resistance and connection. He has always thought of Teddy as Emmy’s best friend but now sees her differently.