| A | B |
|---|
| circumspect | cautious |
| immunity | insensitivity |
| seethe | agitate |
| spastic | uncontrollable |
| raucous | harsh |
| irrevocable | unalterable |
| obscure | to conceal |
| galvanize | coated with zinc |
| mane | abundant head of hair |
| imperious | arrogant |
| Why does Conrad find getting up difficult? | Too many details in his head.He is very anxious. |
| What was Cal's childhood like? | He lived in an orphanage because his mom didn't have enough money,no room in the apartment, and not a good neighborhood. |
| How does Cal define fatherhood? | Responsibility,correct all defects,and talking to a kid, not applying pressure. |
| How does Cal like to think of Conrad? | Obedient,polite, well-mannered boy that should see a doctor because he is anxious. |
| How does Con respond to his friends teasing? | Conrad feels slow rolling pressure of panic building inside himself. |
| How is Conrad treated by his teachers? | They try to give him extra help,some don't like him anymore. |
| What class does Con enjoy the most and why? | Choir cause he lets down his guard, he likes to sing. |
| What is Salan's attitude toward Con? | Rough,too brusque, too all-knowing. |
| What is revealed during Beth and Cal's luncheon argument about their relationship and attitude towards Con? | Con was depressed last Christmas and now it is keeping them from going away this Christmas. |
| How does Con first view Dr. Berger? | He doesn't trust him,he views him as an oddball. |
| What does Con want to work on with Dr. Berger? | To be in more control,so people stop worrying about the fact that he doesn't have any friends. |
| What effect does Con's breakdown and Jordan's death have on Cal's self-image? | He doesn't understand grief, he has many unanswered questions about himself. |
| Describe Cal's relationship with Arnold Bacon. | They were friends, he was Cals mentor and they had a father-like relationship. |
| What effect does Conrad's meeting with Karen have on him? | He feels ashamed he is seeing a doctor,he is mad at her because she doesn't need him. |
| Why does Conrad resist Bergers suggestion that he drop a course or 2? | Because he is behind already. |
| How does Coach Salan react when Con quits the swim team? | He is mad at him and he thinks Con is messing up his life and he won't take him back. |
| frenetic | frantic |
| provocative | stimulating |
| trivial | ordinary |
| loiter | to linger |
| wraith | ghost |
| magnitude | importance |
| inviolable | unassailable |
| scrounge | to forage |
| petulant | peevish |
| debris | ruins |
| What causes Cal to stop being a perfectionist? | His trip to Michigan when he discovers that chance not perfection rules the world. |
| What does Con do to fill his free hours after school? | Study at the Library, walks at the park and watches the birds, and goes to the mall. |
| Why doesn't Con tell his parents he has quit swimming? | The timing isn't right and his dad will worry. |
| What indications are there that Con is beginning to get a grip on life? | He is beginning to have feelings, he asks Jenie out on a date, he doesn't feel upset when he has a nervous attack and that everything is o.k. |
| Why is Cal so pleased when Con picks the Christmas tree? | Because now he is able to make decisions and before he couldn't. |
| How does Beth first learn that Con quit swimming? | In a meeting from Carol Lazenby and she was embarrassed and mad. |
| What reasons does Con give his father and Berger why he can't talk to his mother? | They don't connect,he thinks because he tried to commit suicide. |
| How does Con react to his parents Christmas present? | He likes it alot. He didn't expect it. |
| Why does Beth feel that Christmas was a bust? | Because she and Cal are both grieving. |
| placebo | medication for physiological effect |
| furred | worn |
| annuity | yearly payment |
| emphatic | definite |
| medley | mixed event |
| formulate | to devise |
| indelible | permanent |
| relentless | unyielding |
| indecorous | improper |
| inundate | to flood |
| scud | to rush |
| pungent | acrid |
| inextricable | externally bound |
| impedimenta | baggage |
| panacea | cure-all |
| meticulous | careful |
| buoyant | cheerful |
| delirium | confusion |
| mogul | bump |
| sedate | calm |
| What does Cal reveal about himself in his state of mind during his conversation with Ray? | He thinks everything in life is significant. |
| How does Con see himself as he waits for his date with Jeanine? | He is nervous. He wants to make a good impression with her mother. |
| What caused the falling out between Cal and Bacon. | Bacon didn't like Beth. He didn't want Cal to marry Beth but he did. |
| What triggers Con's confrontation with Stillman. | Teasing about Con going out with Pratt and Stillman being a jerk about it. |
| What does Con do at home after the fight? | He strips to his undershirt and tries to get the blood off his shirt so his mom won't see he was in a fight. |
| How does Cal react to Con's fight? | He thinks its a good sign that he's letting his anger out. |
| Describe Con's relationship with his grandparents? | He loves his grandparents but he can't relate to them. |
| How did Beth take the news of Jordan's death? | She did not cry that night on the dock. She thought they would find him. |
| What does Con realize about himself after Saturday nights show date? | He felt strong and capable. |
| How does Con react to the news of Karen's suicide? | He is in shock and he is numb. |
| What does Berger suggest Con do about his pain? | Let himself feel some pain. |
