[Kate overhears Esther playing Tchaikovsky flawlessly on the piano]
Kate Coleman: You told me you didn't know how to play.
Esther: No I didn't.
Kate Coleman: Yes you did.
Esther: You offered to teach me, and I accepted.
Kate Coleman: Okay... so, then, you were just... pretending, this whole time?
Esther: I thought you would enjoy teaching me. It must be frustrating for someone who loves music as much as you to have a son who isn't interested and a daughter who can't even hear.


Max Coleman : [signing] You tricked me.
Esther: That doesn't matter. They'll send you to jail just for helping me hide her. I had to kill her, because she was going to tell on me. You're not going to tell on me... are you?


Kate Coleman: Esther? We have to talk about last night.
Esther: Do we?
Kate Coleman: Yes, we do... See, there are certain things that grownups do that children aren't supposed to see, and, uh... that was one of 'em.
[a pause; Esther keeps painting]
Kate Coleman: Esther, listen to me.
[Esther turns to Kate]
Kate Coleman: When grownups love each other very, very much... they want to show each other that love; they want to express it...
Esther: I know. They fuck.


Daniel Coleman: [watching Esther neatly cut up her food] Can you eat normal?
Esther: I am eating normal.
Daniel Coleman: Yeah, maybe in Transylvania or whatever country you're from.
Esther: Incidentally, I'm from Russia. Transylvania isn't even a country. It's a part of Romania.
Daniel Coleman: You're such a freak.
Kate Coleman: Hey.
John Coleman: Hey, Danny... I don't want any more talk like that, all right?
Daniel Coleman: But why does she have to act like that? All my friends make fun of me because of her.
John Coleman: Maybe you need some different friends.
Daniel Coleman: Maybe you should send her back to the retard camp where she belongs.
Kate Coleman: Daniel.
John Coleman: Daniel! Apologize to your sister.
Daniel Coleman: She's not my *fucking* sister.

Esther: Please... don't let me die, Mommy.
Kate Coleman: I'm not your fucking mommy!