Chapter 1, Fortune (pgs. 23-28) Summary and Analysis

After Easter, Roy gives Toby a Winchester .22 rifle that Roy used when he was a kid. Toby says he had to work on Roy for months to get it as Roy is stingy. Toby believes the gun will give him the powerful, manly identity that he is searching for.

Toby's mother protests the gift until Roy follows her around the house nagging her to give it to Toby. Roy and Toby gang up on Toby's mother when either of them wants something. Roy takes advantage of Toby's relationship with his mother to get what he wants, and Toby takes advantage of Roy's relationship with his mother to get what he wants. Teaming up against Toby's mother makes the two feel like they have a bond outside of Toby's mother.

Before she says yes to the...