* Lack of communication: Melinda finds it difficult to talk to her parents about what she is going through. She feels like they don't understand her and that they are quick to dismiss her concerns.
* Overprotectiveness: Melinda's parents are overly protective of her, which can sometimes suffocate her and make her feel like she can't be herself.
* Lack of understanding: Her parents don't seem to understand the gravity of what she went through or the impact it has had on her life. They often minimize her feelings and tell her to just "get over it."
* Disconnection: Melinda feels disconnected from her parents emotionally. She doesn't feel like she can rely on them for support or comfort, which leaves her feeling alone and isolated.
As the novel progresses, Melinda's relationship with her parents slowly begins to improve as they start to realize how much she is struggling and make more of an effort to understand her. However, the relationship remains strained and it is clear that there is still a lot of work to be done in order to fully heal the rift between them.