"I lost track of time."
This is what Alike tells her mother when she returns home from the club. Her statement relates to the fact that she feels she has to cover her true self from her mother, as Alike feels pressed be more of a girl, rather than expressing herself for who she is.
"I think you can go deeper."
Mrs. Alvarado says this to Alike after reading her poetry. What she says relates to the fact that, like her poetry, Alike needs to go deeper in her life in order to express her true self.
"No, I don't think so. We leave this door open. Let a little fresh air circulate in here."
Audrey won't let Laura close the door to Alike's room. She doesn't like Laura's influence on her daughter, believing she is causing her to choose to dress like a boy. Audrey, instead of talking to her daughter, allows the tension between them to grow in every circumstance.