--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He pictured himself at the lake, on a…" description: "\"“He pictured himself at the lake, on a houseboat. Dekka would be there, and Brianna and Jack. He would have friends. He wouldn’t be alone. But he could..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/michael-grant-1391_astrid-ellison_he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-hou_2074739.png" --- # He pictured himself at the lake, on a houseboat. Dekka… ![“He pictured himself at the lake, on a houseboat. Dekka would be there, and Brianna and Jack. He would have friends. He wouldn’t be alone. But he couldn’t stop himself from looking for her. She no longer had Little Pete to worry about. They could be together without all of that. But of course he…” quote by Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/michael-grant-1391_astrid-ellison_he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-hou_2074739.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/michael-grant-1391_astrid-ellison_he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-hou_2074739.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/michael-grant-1391_astrid-ellison_he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-hou_2074739.png) > ““He pictured himself at the lake, on a houseboat. Dekka would be there, and Brianna and Jack. He would have friends. He wouldn’t be alone. But he couldn’t stop himself from looking for her. She no longer had Little Pete to worry about. They could be together without all of that. But of course he knew Astrid, and knew that right now, wherever she was, she was eaten up inside with guilt. “She’s not coming, is she?” Sam said to Dekka. But Dekka didn’t answer. She was somewhere else in her head. Sam saw her glance and look away as Brianna laid a light hand on Jack’s shoulder. Dahra was staying in the hospital, but a few more kids came. Groups of three or four at a time. The Siren and the kids she lived with came. John Terrafino came. Ellen. He waited. He would wait the full two hours. Not for her, he told himself, just to keep his word. Then Orc, with Howard. Sam groaned inwardly. “You gotta be kidding me,” Brianna said. “The deal was kids make a choice,” Sam said. “I think Howard just realized how dangerous life can be for a criminal living in a place where the ‘king’ can decide life or death.”” [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character struggles with longing, guilt, and loyalty while waiting for a loved one, reflecting on personal sacrifice and moral choices. **In simple terms:** He waits for someone while dealing with guilt and duty. Key Takeaway Balance personal desire with responsibility. Themes loneliness guilt loyalty waiting Mood torn hopeful Type narrative emotional When to use this quote - family crisis - personal sacrifice - decision making - relationship dynamics Key Concepts Moral conflict psychological tension friendship Questions to Reflect On - What would you do if you had to wait for someone you love? - How do you handle guilt when you cannot help? A Different Perspective The narrative may oversimplify complex emotional trauma, ignoring deeper psychological impacts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astrid-ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astrid-ellison/) [Breeze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breeze/) [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Lake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lake/) [Life or death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-or-death/) [Sam-temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sam-temple/) [Siren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/siren/) ## Related quotes > [“Little Pete. He’s not exactly just Astrid’s autistic brother.” He explained briefly while Toto added a chorus of “Sam believes that’s true” remarks. “How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/little-pete-he-s-not-exactly-just-astrid-s-autistic-brother-he/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Astrid looked at Lana, now leaning against the window, and Diana, lost in thought, and reminded herself that at times she had hated Diana.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/astrid-looked-at-lana-now-leaning-against-the-window-and-diana-lost/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) ## More by Michael Grant > [The pain was her whole world now. Pain and fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/the-pain-was-her-whole-world-now-pain-and-fear/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [So, Diana thought, that was the bait she had to lay out for Jack. Of course. What else? He might lust for Diana, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/so-diana-thought-that-was-the-bait-she-had-to-lay-out-for-jack-of/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [He wanted to go running home to Mommy, what can I say? Of course, it's hard for me to believe that anyone would choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/he-wanted-to-go-running-home-to-mommy-what-can-i-say-of-course-it-s/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [Here's the thing: I am not beautiful. I'm pretty. I'll allow that much. Pretty. But I'm not the girl boys long for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/here-s-the-thing-i-am-not-beautiful-i-m-pretty-i-ll-allow-that-much/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [It's Sanjit. It's a Hindu name. It means 'invincible.'" "That's great," Lana said. "Invincible. I can't be vinced." "That's not even a word," Lana…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/it-s-sanjit-it-s-a-hindu-name-it-means-invincible-that-s-great-lana/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [Paranoia," Sam muttered. "You're going slowly nuts, dude. Or maybe not so slowly, since you're talking to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/paranoia-sam-muttered-you-re-going-slowly-nuts-dude-or-maybe-not-so/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“I don’t care what your excuse is, I don’t care what you think God told you to do, if you are in the business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/i-don-t-care-what-your-excuse-is-i-don-t-care-what-you-think-god-told/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“I know something must be very wrong, or just possibly very right?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/i-know-something-must-be-very-wrong-or-just-possibly-very-right/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“The computer's password protected. I try the basics: 1,2,3,4. QWERTY. YTREWQ, which is qwerty backward. PASSWORD. A few others. Whoever uses this computer isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/the-computer-s-password-protected-i-try-the-basics-1-2-3-4-qwerty/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [Say it. But..." "But what?" he asked. She whispered it, sounding too vulnerable. "But only if its the truth, Caine. Only. If." "I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/say-it-but-but-what-he-asked-she-whispered-it-sounding-too-vulnerable/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“ Rio : – What the hell is the point of worrying about it? I don’t see Geer or Pang or Stick moping. Jen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/rio-what-the-hell-is-the-point-of-worrying-about-it-i-don-t-see-geer/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“It's not like I've spent my life beating he boys back with a flaming torch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/it-s-not-like-i-ve-spent-my-life-beating-he-boys-back-with-a-flaming/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Cabeza de turco.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/cabeza-de-turco/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [You don't look so much like a great hero,' Jarrah said. 'I'm pretty sure I'm not,' Mack said wearily. 'My throat is hoarse from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/you-don-t-look-so-much-like-a-great-hero-jarrah-said-i-m-pretty-sure/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Lana said, “Sam, can you, you know, like burn that concrete off her hands?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/lana-said-sam-can-you-you-know-like-burn-that-concrete-off-her-hands/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) [Explore all 240 Michael Grant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) ## More Astrid-ellison quotes > [“You listen to me. I'm not losing you because you played fair. You're not getting killed. You're not dying. This isn't some doomed last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/you-listen-to-me-i-m-not-losing-you-because-you-played-fair-you-re/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Sam was stiff and tired. He crept onto the houseboat, careful not to wake anyone, and sidled down the narrow passage to his bunk.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/sam-was-stiff-and-tired-he-crept-onto-the-houseboat-careful-not-to/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“They closed the door on the cabin. There wasn’t room enough for them to stand, so they fell into each other’s arms on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/they-closed-the-door-on-the-cabin-there-wasn-t-room-enough-for-them/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“I don’t guess you can outrun an explosion, right?” Sam asked doubtfully. Jack rolled his eyes and sighed his condescending geek sigh. “Seriously? Brianna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/i-don-t-guess-you-can-outrun-an-explosion-right-sam-asked-doubtfully/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Diana can read power levels,” Astrid said. “Did she ever…” Sam nodded. “She said the baby is a three bar. As a fetus. Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/diana-can-read-power-levels-astrid-said-did-she-ever-sam-nodded-she/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“What do you think that fish is?' Sam asked Astrid. She peered closely at the alleged fish. 'I think that's an example of Pesce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/what-do-you-think-that-fish-is-sam-asked-astrid-she-peered-closely-at/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Sam Temple was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Los Angeles, where there were specialists there in burn injuries. He wasn’t consulted: he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/sam-temple-was-taken-by-helicopter-to-a-hospital-in-los-angeles-where/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Astrid found the hem of his T-shirt and pulled it up over his head. She unbuckled his belt and shoved his jeans to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/astrid-found-the-hem-of-his-t-shirt-and-pulled-it-up-over-his-head/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Where’s Sam?” Brianna asked. “He’s out. So is Edilio,” Dekka said. “You going to tell us what’s in the bag or do we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/where-s-sam-brianna-asked-he-s-out-so-is-edilio-dekka-said-you-going/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Man, sometimes you are clueless. You don’t even see what’s happening.” He perched himself on the arm of the couch so he could look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/man-sometimes-you-are-clueless-you-don-t-even-see-what-s-happening-he/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“And he thought of the two people who had held his job before him: Sam and Astrid. Both beaten into despair by trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/and-he-thought-of-the-two-people-who-had-held-his-job-before-him-sam/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“I’m getting my stuff,” he said, and bolted for the steps. “You don’t have to move out,” Astrid called after him. Sam stopped halfway…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/i-m-getting-my-stuff-he-said-and-bolted-for-the-steps-you-don-t-have/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Dear Mr. Chance and Ms. Brattle. Sorry about the mess. Great bed. Loved it. As a matter of fact, loved the whole house. Actually,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/dear-mr-chance-and-ms-brattle-sorry-about-the-mess-great-bed-loved-it/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“She found Diana’s room. Diana was sitting in her bed using a remote control to idly flip through the channels on the wall-mounted TV.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/she-found-diana-s-room-diana-was-sitting-in-her-bed-using-a-remote/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Little Pete. He’s not exactly just Astrid’s autistic brother.” He explained briefly while Toto added a chorus of “Sam believes that’s true” remarks. “How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/little-pete-he-s-not-exactly-just-astrid-s-autistic-brother-he/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) [Browse all 30 Astrid-ellison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astrid-ellison/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“He pictured himself at the lake, on a houseboat. Dekka would be there, and Brianna and Jack. He would have friends. He wouldn’t be alone. But he couldn’t stop himself from looking for her. She no longer had Little Pete to worry about. They could be together without all of that. But of course he knew Astrid, and knew that right now, wherever she was, she was eaten up inside with guilt. “She’s not coming, is she?” Sam said to Dekka. But Dekka didn’t answer. She was somewhere else in her head. Sam saw her glance and look away as Brianna laid a light hand on Jack’s shoulder. Dahra was staying in the hospital, but a few more kids came. Groups of three or four at a time. The Siren and the kids she lived with came. John Terrafino came. Ellen. He waited. He would wait the full two hours. Not for her, he told himself, just to keep his word. Then Orc, with Howard. Sam groaned inwardly. “You gotta be kidding me,” Brianna said. “The deal was kids make a choice,” Sam said. “I think Howard just realized how dangerous life can be for a criminal living in a place where the ‘king’ can decide life or death.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Grant" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-houseboat-dekka-would-be-there/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Astrid-ellison" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-houseboat-dekka-would-be-there/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/michael-grant-1391_astrid-ellison_he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-hou_2074739.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/michael-grant-1391_astrid-ellison_he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-hou_2074739.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/michael-grant-1391_astrid-ellison_he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-hou_2074739.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He pictured himself at the lake, on a houseboat. Dekka would be there, and Brianna and Jack. He would have…” — Michael Grant", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Michael Grant", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“He pictured himself at the lake,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-houseboat-dekka-would-be-there/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/he-pictured-himself-at-the-lake-on-a-houseboat-dekka-would-be-there/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```