His refusal to truly face his grief results in unexpected feelings such as anger at his coach, increased fights with his sister, resentment of more responsibility in helping his mother, and disillusionment with football. He even gets into a fight with his best friend, Rolf, who never fights anyone.

He's angry about his mother's friendship with Paul Lindquist, his father's business partner, and he's suspicious of the guy in a black pickup who keeps showing up around town. He's also ticked that even his coach seems a little too interested in his mother.