Reading #7: Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the last line of the book (230). (Claudia)

At the end of the novel, Junior narrates "We didn't keep score". Most of Junior's friendships have been competitive in some way or another. With Rowdy, Junior felt like he was constantly trying to be accepted by him, while Rowdy made no effort to conserve their friendship. Their friendship was especially competitive during the basketball season, when all they wanted to do was beat each other. On page 190 Junior narrates, "Rowdy and I pretended that we weren't looking at each other. But, man, oh, man, we were sending some serious hate signals across the gym." The last quote represents Junior's friendship with Rowdy, coming to a more mature standpoint, where it isn't all competitions. This quote also represents Junior's new outlook on life. Junior now feels that he doesn't have to live his life keeping track of everything that is happening. He doesn't have to count the number of deaths, or good grades he gets all the time; sometimes he just has to live in the moment.