Repetition

"He doesn't talk too much either; his words are sour balls in his mouth." Page 43

I read this and went; what is up with words being stones or sour balls? It reminded me of when Nadira said, "...words inside me are stones in my mouth." I am starting to think that words words are very powerful things for the characters in this book, why else would Marina Budhos use so many metaphors for words? This quote also makes me feel sorry for Nadira, like she's getting lonelier and lonelier. The end of the chapter just added on to the feeling of loneliness for me. I really hope that she will find someone trustworthy enough to tell her situation to.