Chapter 5

The theme of chapter five is making choices. Here are five quotes that support this theme:

"I knew my mother was considering sending me away, but I never thought she'd actually do it. The final straw... [was when Riverdale placed] me on academic and disciplinary probation." (Moore 87)

This quote shows what led up to an important decision being made by Wes' mother. It's hard for a mother to send her child away for any reason, but in the end sending Wes to military school ended up being the right decision, as it set him on the right track.

"I began to lightly punch her in the arm," (Moore 87)

This quote shows that in the mindset Wes was in before military school, the only thing he could do for entertainment was hit people. A result of years of questionable decisions, it ended up landing him in military school.

"The directions he had given me were fake." (Moore 93)

This quote shows Wes' decision to blindly follow everyone and believe everyone and what they say. This shows his lack of initiative to think for himself, as he had begun to give up upon arriving at Valley Forge.

"Within two months of their meeting, Alicia told Wes that her period was late." (Moore 99)

This is a result of an in-the-moment decision that Wes made. Looking bad, he messed up. He's far too young and irresponsible to take care of a child, but he must do to a bad decision.

"Wes and his friend traded shots and finally heard Ray scream as he fell behind a black Toyota just fifty feet from his house." (Moore 105)

This terrible decision Wes made was driven entirely by anger. Again, looking back, he wishes he could take it back, but in-the-moment decisions are hard to make because often the right one goes against your instincts.