On the Treadmill through One Small Step for Man Summary

In "On the Treadmill," Jeffery tries to talk to Tad about the cancer but Tad refuses to be drawn into a conversation. A few days later, Jeffery reveals that his mother's request to have Jeffery exempted from the tests has been denied. Tad says it's good that Jeffery's father has faith in him but Jeffery says he fears his mother is right and he won't pass. Finally Jeffery grows angry at Tad's reluctance to talk about the cancer and blows up. He says that forgetting to tell your best friend you have a cavity is acceptable but "forgetting" to tell that friend cancer has returned is not. Tad says he had hoped not to talk about the cancer until after the state tests because he hadn't wanted...