“There he was, out in the open sea of cream-colored tile in the kitchen, when James’s blue sneaker stopped alongside him. Marvin panicked, dropped the M&M, and ran for his life. But James only crouched down and watched him, never saying a word.”

This is the first display of respect between James and Marvin, which sets the tone for their growing friendship and mutual trust. Marvin’s experiences with James lead to his decision to trust James after gifting him the drawing. This trust persists throughout the novel as James and Marvin enter more uncertain situations.

“Marvin secretly admired the painting very much. He sometimes climbed all the way up the brass floor lamp for a better view of the bold blue streak at its center. While the painting didn’t look like a horse, it felt like a horse: fast and graceful and free.”

Here, Marvin shows his first interest in art while admiring Karl’s painting in the living room of the Pompadays’ apartment. This scene shows Marvin’s aptitude for understanding the deeper meaning of artwork and foreshadows his own exploration into the world of art. This quote also introduces Karl’s artistic talent, showing why he chose to gift James a pen and ink set.

“Marvin smiled happily. He realized that James could not for one minute see his expression, but he suspected somehow that the boy knew anyway.”

This quote reveals the understanding that Marvin and James share, even in their earliest moments. Though they cannot communicate, their friendship grows non-verbally, and they can understand one another on a deeper level. Marvin has never had this kind of connection to a human before, which adds to the significance of the moment.