Pen's mother's shoes

Pen's mother's shoes represent the hardships she has endured for the sake of her children. When Pen notices how scuffed and cracked her mother's shoes are from working in the nursing home, she feels a rush of guilt for wanting to take over her father's restaurant rather than fulfill her parent's dreams of her becoming a nurse.

Running

Running is most often associated with a feeling of freedom and lightness. Xander's memories turn this association on its head because the day he chose to run around outside and play as a child was the day that convinced his mother she needed to give him up to be raised by his grandfather. In this sense, running trapped Xander into a lifetime of wondering why his mother let hm go and how his life would have been different if they had stayed together.

Pen's apartment

Pen's...