War does terrible things to people, Noah. It haunts them in ways that I hope you will never have to live through or experience. This doesn’t make what I did right. But what you did for your brother made you a man in my eyes that day.

There was an absence of love and emotion from their parents. But the kids showed compassion and love towards one another. Their kindness, love, and respect for one another were evident in the way they treated each other. For the first time in a long time, Mr. Hinkle felt hope for Noah and his siblings.

Mr. Hinkle could tell that Brandon’s words did not hurt Josie as Noah’s did. His were small paper cuts compared to Noah’s stab straight to her jugular. 

Now I know why Josie says you’re like Father and why she hates you so much,” Brandon said. “You are like him. You only think about yourself. If people don’t do what you want exactly the way you want it, you can’t even hold up your end of the bargain. It’s always tit for tat with you. You’re going to grow up to be as big of a loser as Father is. And you’re going to be all alone. Watch!