4. Interpret/explain/explore the context and significance of the last line of the book (230). Connie Y.

The last line of the book, “We didn’t keep score” (230), is significant because for the past year since Junior transferred to Rearden, the relationship between Rowdy and Junior was very tense and full of hatred, but at the end of the book, the boys finally reconnect with a game of basketball. The fact that Junior is saying that they didn’t even keep score just shows how they are actually learning to accept the fact that Junior has made the choice to be at Rearden and that they are truly friends. Before, they would’ve played an intense game of basketball, both desperately trying to prove the other better, but only true friends wouldn’t care about the score. Both boys had missed the other, even Rowdy, who is the tough guy who has no emotional moments, had dreamed about Junior. Rowdy also showed how much he truly cared about Junior when the boys were talking before their game of scoreless basketball, “For a second, I thought he was going to cry. Really. I expected him to cry” (Alexie 229). After this long of being not friends, Rowdy had even almost broke, and it is very meaningful if Rowdy, who is very competitive, doesn’t even want to keep score. They are only glad that they are friends again and that although things will never be the exact same again, at least they are together playing scoreless basketball.