Reality Boy

Gerald is still mad at Hannah for laughing at him about punching Nanny when he was younger. When he gives her a ride home, she reveals that she does every household chore for her family. She tells him she sees a psychiatrist because her family wants her to be “less weird” (183). He starts to warm up to her, telling her, “You’re perfect just like this” (183). She looks away sheepishly. When she is about to leave, she leans in as if she is about to kiss him and then pulls away. He wonders if he should have more of a sense of humor about his circumstances.

At Gerald’s meeting with Roger, he tries to avoid telling him about his confrontation with Jacko at the boxing gym. He decides to tell him about dating Hannah. Roger tells him to be careful as the calm he feels is “temporary” (188). This puts Gerald in a bad mood because Roger’s taken away his excitement about Hannah. He gradually reveals that he was involved in a fight at the gym, which prompts Roger’s intrigue. Roger seems almost delighted and asks to see Gerald’s bruises.