Wink

During the drive to the radiation center, Linda comments on Ross’s hair loss. He lashes out, her attempts at comforting him only increase his ire until he feels “like [his] head is full of bees” (173). At the treatment center, Jerry is in his usual spot; he asks Ross how he’s doing but gives him a moment when it becomes clear Ross is in turmoil. Once Ross is calm, Jerry mentions how upset Ross looked. Ross apologizes, which Jerry tells him isn’t necessary.

Jerry affirms that being a cancer patient, especially a very young cancer patient, is weird. Ross wants a “normal” life, but Jerry’s a proponent of “different,” which he says makes things happen. Jerry tells Ross about his unfulfilled dream of becoming a professional trumpet player. His father convinced him that “normal” people don’t play trumpet for a living, but Jerry now regrets not pursuing his unique dream.

In “Batpig vs The Hairball” (178), Batpig sees the pig symbol in the sky, so he flies to find a giant hairball rolling like a tumbleweed toward the St. Sarah Pizzeria. Batpig sprays detangler at the hairball until it lies limply on the ground. A woman tells the proud Batpig that he is her hero. Next to her is a man who asks, “Why a pig?” (178). He doesn’t get an answer.

Ross apologizes to Linda when she picks him up. She tells him not to worry and buys him “Milkshake Therapy.” At Abby’s place, Ross notices Abby is acting distant. She eventually admits to feeling anxious about the move. Ross discounts her concerns, and they argue until Ross leaves her without a word.

He fumes in his bedroom about Abby and everything that happened, illustrating his “pity party” with a paper party blower surrounded by streamers and confetti. He gives the blower a speech bubble that looks like a rain cloud and contains one word, “Waaa.” He considers changing schools, though he’s not sure the hairy pizza incident won’t spread around town.

He doesn’t want to talk about his problems when his father asks after him, but he admits he and Abby had a fight. Ross asks if he’s supposed to experience an epiphany. He’s seen ill people on talk shows claim their sickness taught them that life is precious, that people should treat each day like it’s their last, and so on. Ross says cancer has taught him that every day is long, grueling, and miserable. Ross’s father thinks this is a normal reaction.

Ross stays home the next day. Linda periodically visits him; she leaves two small Butterfingers bars next to his pillow when she thinks he’s asleep. The candy doesn’t make him feel better, even though it’s his favorite.

Ross goes to his treatment that afternoon. Frank is subdued because Jerry went to the ER the night before with pneumonia. Frank encourages optimism about Jerry’s chances at recovery. Callie observes that Ross is losing hair from his right eyebrow; Frank makes light of it, asking if Ross wants to be like everybody else. Ross does want that. Callie informs him it’s too late to be normal: He’s special. Ross still dislikes that idea.

Ross has a difficult time practicing guitar with Frank that evening. Playing guitar brings feelings to the surface that he’d rather suppress. Frank persuades him to talk, and Ross explains everything that’s bothering him: the side effects from radiation, Abby’s move, Isaac’s desertion, his humiliating experience with Sarah, the memes, and more. Ross sketches himself emitting “word barf.” Frank empathizes, offers advice about coping with the bad times, and decides Ross needs a break. Frank, Ross, and Denny take turns playing a video game.

Denny suggests Ross and Jimmy should jam sometime since Jimmy plays drums. Ross isn’t sure that’s a good idea, but Denny opines that they don’t have to like each other to play music together. He tells Ross he’ll mention the idea to his cousin, despite Ross’s protestations.