Say You'll Remember Me

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness.

“‘The kitten has a congenital condition,’ I said. ‘It’s called atresia ani. It’s when the rectum and anus don’t fully develop.’

She blinked at me, then at the kitten back in her shirt. ‘I’m sorry. What?’

‘She doesn’t have a functional anus or a rectum.’

She stared. ‘You’re saying this kitten doesn’t have a butthole.’

‘That is what I am saying.’”

This initial medical exchange establishes Xavier’s clinical precision against Samantha’s plainspoken clarity, setting up their contrasting communication styles. The tension between technical language and everyday speech creates both humor and conflict, illustrating how the characters approach problems differently. The diagnosis serves as the narrative catalyst and lays the groundwork for animals to appear as both plot devices and character development tools throughout the novel.

“I read the note. My three favorite words: You were right.”

This brief sentence marks Xavier’s apologetic gesture through an anonymous donation. The phrase reveals Samantha’s appreciation for accountability, establishing her as someone who values honesty over pride. It also illustrates the novel’s theme of Reconciling Idealism With the Complexities of Reality as Xavier’s clinical pessimism yields to Samantha’s optimistic belief in community support.

“Because when I showed how I felt, that’s how they knew how to hurt me.”

This confession reveals the psychological foundation of Xavier’s emotional restraint through cause-and-effect logic. The statement directly connects his childhood trauma to his present behavior, developing the theme of The Interplay of Memory, Identity, and Connection. This moment of vulnerability represents a turning point in their relationship, as Xavier shares the protective mechanism that has shaped his interactions with others.