On the other side of the house, Conrad's relationship with his mother is distant, if it exists at all. When Jordan died, Beth buried all her compassion and love with him, leaving none for Conrad (McGuire 3). She rarely talks to Conrad except when they argue. Beth cannot handle the resentment that she feels toward Conrad for attempting suicide and ruining her reputation, she tries to hide it but it is clearly seen throughout the book. She misses Jordan but would rather move on and forget, than have any chance that her friends will feel for her. Her coldness is not a recent development either. Cal gives a vague flashback of Beth when the kids were growing up, "she bursting suddenly into tears because a toy left out of place, or a spoonful of food thrown onto the floor from the highchair." (Guest 89).
After Conrad's stay in the mental hospital he is ready to begin school again. He is now a year behind because of his accident. Cal is hopeful that Conrad will be able to adjust back to his old schedule while his mother Beth continues to stay emotionally distant from him. The first day of school, Conrad is picked up by his old swimming teammates. Cal sees this as a good sign that Conrad is getting back to normal. Conrad's swimming teammates are very careful with what they say to Conrad. With the exception of Kevin Stillman, one of the divers on the swim team, who spends most of his time making Conrad feel uncomfortable by taunting him. Conrad's feels like an outsider beginning a new school.
Conrad finds sanctuary from other people's stares in the school choir. This is where he meets Jeannine Pratt, he is attracted to her and throughout the first half of the book he tries to avoid her in fear that she doesn't like him. He continues to avoid most of the people he sees, and even thinks about skipping his first appointment with Dr. Berger. Conrad does not want to go to therapy because he thinks it is not normal.
