Too Late

The random sentences game begins between Luke and Sloan in class, but it is much older for her. The game, which challenges Sloan to see how randomly she can write without thinking, represents several things. It is a symbol of her cleverness but also a sober reminder of her need to be able to escape into complete distraction, protected from her thoughts. It also symbolizes her devotion to Stephen, as is evident when she explains to Luke that the game is their primary form of communication.

When Luke and Sloan begin using the white board to write sentences to each other, it takes on a more serious tone. Feeling protective and helpless, Luke writes, “Worries flow from her lips like the random words that flow from her fingertips. I reach out and try to catch them, clenching them in my fists, wanting nothing more than to catch them all” (91). Sloan responds by trying to reassure him and also to make it clear that she takes responsibility for herself: “He unclenched his fists and dropped her worries, unable to catch them for her. But she picked them back up and dusted them off. She wants to be able to hold them herself now” (96).