During the car ride home, Pete shows interest in Donald's story only when he tells him he wouldn't want to hear the gory details. Pete says he wants to hear them even though he knows this will be upsetting to Donald to relive. Pete may want confirmation that Donald will never come close to being as successful as him therefore, Pete will feel secure in his life because there is no reason for sibling competition. When asked, Pete is untruthful to Donald in telling him he doesn't dream about him. The question may have caught Pete off guard and, had Pete told the truth, would make Donald feel good about himself that he was correct and Pete did not even want that for his brother. Further on, Donald accuses Pete of trying to kill him when he was younger which could explain beginning of the rivalry between them. Donald reminds Pete exactly how it happened and how Pete would try at every chance he got. We have no other information as to why Pete would inflict this extreme amount of pain towards his brother. It is said that his parents were "decent people without making fools of themselves"(233). It may be that Pete believed as a child that Donald received more love, care and attention since he was the younger brother. Pete says that he was afraid Donald would get mad if he found out that he knew Pete was trying to kill him. This is where the belief comes from that the rivalry and competition is one sided. Pete feels "stuck" with Donald. Donald is polite and soft spoken; he believes that everybody should prosper together and be fair. In the end it is decided that it would be better that Pete and Donald go their separate ways, Donald tells Pete that he doesn't blame him. Pete gets confused by this phrase and what Donald meant by it. Donald actually meant that he doesn't blame Pete for wanting to get rid of him and going their separate ways because Pete will never accept Donald as he is and will always be subconsciously in competition and with him.
