---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm jittery.It's like the animatronic…"
description: "\"“I'm jittery.It's like the animatronic band from Chuck E. Cheese is throwing a jamboree in my stomach. I've always hated Chuck E. Cheese. Why am I thin..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa3/stephanie-perkins-482_break-free_i-m-jittery-it-s-like-the-animatronic-ba_1036388.jpg"
---

#  I'm jittery.It's like the animatronic band from Chuck E…

![“I'm jittery.It's like the animatronic band from Chuck E. Cheese is throwing a jamboree in my stomach. I've always hated Chuck E. Cheese. Why am I thinking about Chuck E. Cheese? I don't know why I'm nervous.I'm just seeing my mom again. And Seany.And Bridge! Bridge said she'd come. St. Clair's…” quote by Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa3/stephanie-perkins-482_break-free_i-m-jittery-it-s-like-the-animatronic-ba_1036388.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa3/stephanie-perkins-482_break-free_i-m-jittery-it-s-like-the-animatronic-ba_1036388.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa3/stephanie-perkins-482_break-free_i-m-jittery-it-s-like-the-animatronic-ba_1036388.jpg)

> ““I'm jittery.It's like the animatronic band from Chuck E. Cheese is throwing a jamboree in my stomach. I've always hated Chuck E. Cheese. Why am I thinking about Chuck E. Cheese? I don't know why I'm nervous.I'm just seeing my mom again. And Seany.And Bridge! Bridge said she'd come. St. Clair's connecting flight to San Francisco doesn't leave for another three hours,so we board the train that runs between terminals,and he walks me to the arrivals area.We've been quiet since we got off the plane. I guess we're tired. We reach the security checkpoint,and he can't go any farther. Stupid TSA regulations.I wish I could introduce him to my family.The Chuck E. Cheese band kicks it up a notch,which is weird, because I'm not nervous about leaving him . I'll see him again in two weeks. "All right,Banana.Suppose this is goodbye." He grips the straps of his backpack,and I do the same. This is the moment we're supposed to hug. For some reason,I can't do it. "Tell your mom hi for me. I mean, I know I don't know her. She just sounds really nice. And I hope she's okay." He smiles softly. "Thanks.I'll tell her." "Call me?" "Yeah,whatever. You'll be so busy with Bridge and what's-his-name that you'll forget all about your English mate, St. Clair." "Ha! So you are English!" I poke him in the stomach. He grabs my hand and we wrestle, laughing. "I claim…no...nationality." I break free. "Whatever,I totally caught you. Ow!" A gray-haired man in sunglasses bumps his red plaid suitcase into my legs. "Hey,you! Apologize!" St. Clair says,but the guy is already too far away to hear. I rub my shins. "It's okay, we're in the way. I should go." Time to hug again. Why can't we do it? Finally, I step forward and put my arms around him. He's stiff,and it's awkward, especially with our backpacks in the way.I smell his hair again. Oh heavens. We pull apart. "Have fun at the show tonight" he says. "I will.Have a good flight." "Thanks." He bites his thumbnail,and then I'm through security and riding down the escalator. I look back one last time. St. Clair jumps up and down, waving at me.I burst into laughter, and his face lights up.The escalator slides down. He's lost from view. I swallow hard and turn around.And then-there they are.Mom has a gigantic smile, and Seany is jumping and waving, just like St. Clair.””

[Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A traveler anxiously awaits a reunion, using vivid analogies to describe nervous energy and the difficulty of saying goodbye.

**In simple terms:** The narrator feels nervous about meeting family and struggling with a hug.

Key Takeaway

Embrace the moment despite awkwardness.

Themes

anxiety farewell travel family friendship

Mood

nervous hopeful

Type

emotional reflective

When to use this quote

- airport waiting
- reunion hug
- flight departure

Key Concepts

psychological tension social awkwardness anticipation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we ease nervousness before reunions?
- What small actions make goodbyes smoother?

A Different Perspective

The intense focus on a single event can magnify stress.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Break free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/break-free/) [San francisco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/san-francisco/)

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            "text": "“I'm jittery.It's like the animatronic band from Chuck E. Cheese is throwing a jamboree in my stomach. I've always hated Chuck E. Cheese. Why am I thinking about Chuck E. Cheese? I don't know why I'm nervous.I'm just seeing my mom again. And Seany.And Bridge! Bridge said she'd come. St. Clair's connecting flight to San Francisco doesn't leave for another three hours,so we board the train that runs between terminals,and he walks me to the arrivals area.We've been quiet since we got off the plane. I guess we're tired. We reach the security checkpoint,and he can't go any farther. Stupid TSA regulations.I wish I could introduce him to my family.The Chuck E. Cheese band kicks it up a notch,which is weird, because I'm not nervous about leaving him . I'll see him again in two weeks. \"All right,Banana.Suppose this is goodbye.\" He grips the straps of his backpack,and I do the same. This is the moment we're supposed to hug. For some reason,I can't do it. \"Tell your mom hi for me. I mean, I know I don't know her. She just sounds really nice. And I hope she's okay.\" He smiles softly. \"Thanks.I'll tell her.\" \"Call me?\" \"Yeah,whatever. You'll be so busy with Bridge and what's-his-name that you'll forget all about your English mate, St. Clair.\" \"Ha! So you are English!\" I poke him in the stomach. He grabs my hand and we wrestle, laughing. \"I claim…no...nationality.\" I break free. \"Whatever,I totally caught you. Ow!\" A gray-haired man in sunglasses bumps his red plaid suitcase into my legs. \"Hey,you! Apologize!\" St. Clair says,but the guy is already too far away to hear. I rub my shins. \"It's okay, we're in the way. I should go.\" Time to hug again. Why can't we do it? Finally, I step forward and put my arms around him. He's stiff,and it's awkward, especially with our backpacks in the way.I smell his hair again. Oh heavens. We pull apart. \"Have fun at the show tonight\" he says. \"I will.Have a good flight.\" \"Thanks.\" He bites his thumbnail,and then I'm through security and riding down the escalator. I look back one last time. St. Clair jumps up and down, waving at me.I burst into laughter, and his face lights up.The escalator slides down. He's lost from view. I swallow hard and turn around.And then-there they are.Mom has a gigantic smile, and Seany is jumping and waving, just like St. Clair.”",
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```
