She was young and nave, and did not know any better. Even though this creates yet another set back, it is nothing more than a natural, innocent, flaw. It is not possible for this helpless flower to grow, or blossom, in a mud puddle. Unfortunately, Maggie did not have any of the necessary components for the young bud to develop into a perfectly healthy flower. There was no hope for young Maggie.
With no where to turn, and nobody to look up to, young Maggie was left to raise herself. Considering the environment around the troubled girl, any form of a getaway was appreciated. This home away from home was with Pete. He was the man who allowed her to dream once in a while. But what Maggie chose to avoid was the fact that every trip out of reality still brought this blossoming flower back to the same, lonely puddle. Once he entered into her life, Maggie became aware of her inexcusable surroundings. She began to compare her own life to Pete's and soon realized how unhappy she was. She observes him and begins to analyze his overall persona. "His mannerisms stamped him as a man who had a correct sense of his personal superiority. There was valor and contempt for circumstances in the glance of his eye. He waved his hand like a man of the world, who dismisses religion and philosophy, and says Fudge'. He had certainly seen everything and with each curl of his lip, he declared that it amounted to nothing. Maggie thought he must be a very elegant and graceful bartender- (page 17).
Maggie broke Pete down and created a fantasy in her head. This imaginary world with Pete prevented Maggie from blossoming to the fullest. Instead, she became even more dissatisfied with her own life. Pete became a devilish obsession which did the young girl harm. This lethal addiction to Pete and his life was the last straw for her. After leaving her home for Pete, Maggie promptly returned, where mother made a mockery of her.
