What's He Talking About?

Burke illustrates Tom’s inner conflict with first-person narration. The guilt he feels over the inactivity he had on the night of the incident, his frustration with Kylie and the added guilt he exhibits because he feels sorry for himself all adds up to his conflicted thoughts. Tom doesn’t know or feel like himself anymore. But Burke brings this to the attention of the reader in a good light when Tom thinks, “But now I knew what I missed most. I missed me, Tom Brennan, and that’s why now I could smile, ‘cause I could see he was coming back.” Thus, when J.C. Burke aptly finishes the book with the line “that was the morning Tom Brennan came back, forever,” the true development in Tom’s character and conflict is shown through the employment of first-person narration. Therefore, J.C. Burke thoroughly addressed the conflict in Tom’s mind as it was overcome in the

“You’re hurt,” Tom stated, his laconic responses beginning to grate on Booker’s nerves. “He hurt you.”

Falling forward, Tom pressed his lips against Booker’s open mouth and kissed him passionately. Removing his finger, Booker wrapped his arms around Tom’s narrow body and pulling him close, they thrust their bodies together as they continued to shudder out their release. Seconds passed, and when they were both finally spent, Tom slowed the kiss and sitting up, he trailed a finger over the seminal fluid covering Booker’s chest. “Wow,” he grinned.

With a weary grunt, Booker shifted the bag of groceries in his arms and kicked his apartment door closed with his foot. He had planned to be home early so he take Tom out to dinner as a birthday surprise, but as usual, work had ruined his plans. When he had rung Tom and explained that he would be home late, he had expected him to react moodily, but instead, he had received a sympathetic response. It was a sign that their relationship was now on stable footing. Tom was more open about his feelings, and they argued less about the trivialities of everyday life; they were moving forward.

The lameness of the statement was too good of an opportunity for Booker to pass up, and he gazed innocently into Tom’s eyes as his expression turned thoughtful.. “Really? Hmm... interesting.”

With his cheeks burning red, Booker nervously wiped the sweat from his palms on his denim-clad legs. “I dunno, he’s beautiful, like strikingly beautiful. Since Doug’s death, there’s a glimmer of vulnerability that lies just below the surface that never used to be there. But he’s also incredibly stubborn and strong-minded, like me and I guess that’s why we fight so much. I s’pose you could say he’s kinda complicated, but that’s what makes him so appealing. He’s unpredictable, which can be frustrating, but it also makes life interesting, you know?”

Seconds later, Booker’s tranquil face came into view and he managed a tense smile. “Sorry,” he mumbled, his cheeks flaming with embarrassment. He felt like a fool because he knew both Booker and Levine were trying to help him, but he was struggling to control the fear that was steadily rising, making it difficult for him to breathe.

The revelation was not what Booker expected, and his eyes grew wide with surprise. “Tommy, I… are you… oh God… are you sure?”

Although the truth of Booker’s statement had him faltering, Tom was not about to let his friend off the hook. “That doesn’t mean I gave you permission to paw me like a fucking oversexed pervert! It was barely even a kiss, Booker, it was—”

“Booker, how do you know what it said? The last time we talked, you couldn’t read. Or have you been lying to me, all this time?”

Booker’s dark eyes shone bright and bending his head forward, he rested on his elbows and took Tom into his mouth. With his lover’s hand steadying his head, he allowed him to thrust his cock between his

Tom and Huck react differently when Joe attempts to climb up the stairs. Tom is afraid that Joe wants revenge for Tom testifying. Huck isn’t so scared and is somewhat confident that Joe won’t do anything bad to him. When Tom and Huck are trapped upstairs in the haunted house Tom asks himself, and Huck, “Revenge? What if he means us, Huck!”

“Nah, you know, Josh, I’m not all that into just staying here.” She gave the impression that she wanted to go.

This shows the reader that Tom still believes in his own violent system of justice. Instead of coming up with a peaceful way to leave, Tom immediately thinks of a violent way to stop the police even if it might lead to him going to jail. Tom until the near end of the novel is a very violent and careless person.

"Heading to Australia is a massive journey, so I'll just be happy to get there," he