Birthday Girl

“‘Time passes by you like a bullet,’ he says, ‘and fear gives you the excuses you’re craving to not do the things you know you should. Don’t doubt yourself, don’t second-guess, don’t let fear hold you back, don’t be lazy, and don’t base your decisions on how happy it will make others. Just go for it, okay?’”

Pike’s advice to Jordan in the movie theater is significant for two reasons: It resonates with Jordan, who is used to putting the needs of others ahead of hers, and it foreshadows Pike’s ultimate choice at the end of the novel to embrace love. Pike will choose a life with Jordan above social censure—he, too, will not let fear hold him back.

“But the girl of my dreams is off-limits. She’s Cole’s and she’s nineteen.

There’s no way.”

Pike’s internal monologue often depicts his conflict between his desire for Jordan and social propriety. This establishes him as a sympathetic character since he fights against socially inappropriate feelings and doesn’t want to hurt his son. The above passage also sets up tension, underscoring the forbidden nature of Pike’s longing for Jordan.

“For some reason, the judgement I dealt Cam for her clothes doesn’t transfer to Jordan, even though she’s a few years younger.”

Pike’s ideas about young women and their sexuality can be outdated and problematic. He acknowledges that he judges Cam because she does not fit with his ideals of a good girl. However, he gives Jordan, who is dressed similarly, a pass because he likes her and thinks of her as serious minded and modest. Pike’s attitude reflects real-world, problematic notions about female sexuality.