Question 2

#5. Explain/explore Junior’s interaction with Rowdy’s dad. What are the implications? And what does Junior resolve/decide? (Sivia B.)

On Thanksgiving, Junior goes to Rowdy’s house to give him a cartoon he drew, but when opening the door he is faced with Rowdy’s drunk father and realizes why his friend is a delinquent boy. When Rowdy’s father talks to Junior he laughs at how “gay” the two boys are, which angers Junior immensely.  As Junior gives the father his cartoon Junior thinks, “Yeah that was the guy who is raising Rowdy. Jesus, no wonder my best friend was always so angry” (Alexie 103). Junior and Rowdy have been friends from a very young age, and throughout their entire friendship Rowdy has always been very bitter and enraged. Now that Junior has finally met Rowdy’s father, he is now realizing the torture that Rowdy endures from this man everyday that makes him so angry. After this conversation, Junior decides that the way Rowdy acts is mostly because of his drunken, physically and mentally abusive father. Because of this interaction, Junior leaves the house upset and very disappointed. Throughout the story, Junior has discussed the circumstances between Rowdy and his father, and in this chapter the truth really shows.