Originally, Devin was the "odd man out" since he lived in a different state. By moving to California, the dynamics of the club would change, and it was a good opportunity to shift that feeling to one of the other club members. Since Devin was dealing with a sibling rivalry, and Brady was struggling with overcoming his fear of water, Trey was the natural choice to deal with this shift. One way I tried to create this dilemma was through my character bios of the three cousins. While all three boys have some similarities, and some differences, I purposely created more similarities between Devin and Brady. I also had Devin's family move to Northland rather than Hillside to create closer proximity in geography as well. I then tried to introduce this dilemma in one version of the Fourth of July narrative I shared last week. Here are the scenes that dealt with this issue:
Trey and Devin exulted about how awesome the hike would be. Unfortunately, Brady somehow managed to change the topic to baseball. Before Trey knew it, his cousins were once again debating who was better – the Angels or the Dodgers.
Devin preferred the Angels, and their All-Star first baseman Rod Carew. Brady’s team was the Dodgers, led by the pudgy Mexican phenom Fernando Valenzuela. Trey had no opinion on the matter. He enjoyed going to ballgames, but he wasn’t a sports addict like his cousins. He preferred spending time in the solitude of nature, or listening to music. He already had an awesome record collection. Unfortunately, his cousins could care less about records – unless they were of the sports variety.
“The Angels have more All-Stars,” pointed out Devin. “We have five. You only have three.”
“That’s because the National League is a lot better,” explained Brady. “It’s harder to get in.”
“Says who?”
“They’ve won eleven All-Star games in a row, haven’t they?” claimed Brady.
“We’ll win this year,” asserted Devin.
As he listened to them argue, Trey looked for opportunities to join in on the conversation. But for the most part, he just listened - growing more bored by the minute. After a while, it seemed as if they’d completely forgotten that he was there at all. Although he should have been right in the middle of all the DTB's activities, recently he felt as if he were on the outside looking in. And if Devin’s family moved to Northland, that feeling would only grow more and more pronounced.
As he sat listening to them, Trey found himself half wishing that Brady would chicken out of going on the hike. At least then he wouldn’t have to worry about being cut out of the conversation. Of course, as soon as he realized what he was doing, Trey chastised himself for being so selfish.
Suddenly Trey had a brilliant idea. He went to his room and found the package of fireworks his friend Jeff had brought back from Mexico. It had a wide assortment of firecrackers, including rockets, Roman candles, and flowers.
His conscience was already reminding him that the county had banned fireworks, but Trey didn’t want them to go to waste - especially since it was a surefire way to get the conversation off sports for a while. He tried to soothe his conscience by telling himself that his dad had let them use the sparklers.
Maybe it’s just illegal to sell them here, Trey justified. That made sense, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. He found his jacket, stuffed in the back of his closet, and put it on – carefully concealing the fireworks inside. Then he rejoined his cousins.
“Where’d you go?” asked Devin.
“I had to get something out of my room,” answered Trey.
“Your jacket?” asked Devin, looking at Trey as if he were crazy.
“Let’s go outside,” Trey said softly. There were too many people nearby to explain what he had in mind.
Devin and Brady looked at each other with puzzled looks before following him out back. As soon as they were out of sight of the adults congregated in the living room, Trey unzipped his jacket and pulled out the package of fireworks.
##
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After everyone had left, Trey’s parents sent the girls to get ready for bed. Trey tried to follow, but his dad said, “And just where do you think you’re going?”
“To bed,” Trey replied innocently. “As you always say, ‘Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.’”
“Well, you obviously could use some more wisdom,” his dad agreed, “so you’ll be going to bed early this whole week, and getting up early too - to get yard work done while it’s cool out. If you haven’t guessed, you’re grounded.”
“For a whole week?” exclaimed Trey, feigning shock. It was actually exactly what he suspected, but he hoped to bargain for a lighter sentence.
“Just be grateful it’s not two,” his mom added. “Or you’d miss the hike too.”
Trey gulped. “Okay,” he agreed quickly. “I’m sorry.” He bowed his head and contritely headed for bed, hoping to get away without the lecture he knew was coming.
“We’re not done yet,” his dad announced.
Trey grimaced and turned back to face his parents.
“Sit down.” Trey sat and watched as his dad organized his thoughts. Finally he looked Trey in the eye and asked, “What on earth were you thinking? Didn’t you know how dangerous that was?”
“Everyone shoots off fireworks on the 4th of July. That’s what you’re supposed to do. It’s fun!” exclaimed Trey in frustration.
“The rest of us didn’t shoot any off, and we had fun.”
“You’re the one who brought out the sparklers,” Trey reminded him.
“That’s different.”
“How is it different?” demanded Trey.
“They’re a lot safer than real fireworks for one thing,” retorted his dad. “And besides, we didn’t go sneaking off to the fields to use them either.”
“You just don’t understand,” murmured Trey. “It’s different when you’re the odd man out.”
“Odd man out?” asked his mom in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”
“You know,” Trey paused, trying to figure out just how to say what he’d been feeling. “Lately, when Devin and Brady are together, it’s like I don’t fit in anymore.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well, he and Brady are always talking about baseball, or basketball, or football. Sometimes they get so caught up in arguing about whose team is better, or whatever, that they forget that I’m even there!” Trey vented.
“So? Join in on the conversation then,” suggested his mom.
Trey sighed. “I tried!” he exclaimed. “But when I said that Steve Garvey was my favorite Dodger, Devin laughed at me and said that Garvey wasn’t even on the Dodgers anymore. So I just shut up and listened.”
“What’s that have to do with the firecrackers?” his dad wondered.
“Well, it was something we could all do together,” Trey replied.
His dad nodded his head slowly, with a distant look in his eye. Then he looked at Trey and said, “Well, believe it or not, I understand how you feel. Growing up, I didn’t have many friends outside of my brothers. And sometimes I went out of my way to fit in too.”
Trey was surprised. His dad had never talked like this before.
“But you know what I learned?” He paused and Trey shook his head. “I learned that true friends don’t have to try and impress each other to prove their worth. Instead, they accept each other for who they are, despite their differences. If you stay true to yourself, to your values, then you’ll be much happier than if you try to do something dumb just to fit in.”
Trey bowed his head in shame. He knew it was a stupid thing to do. “I’m sorry,” he said contritely. “I guess my little stunt really backfired on me, didn’t it?”
Despite their anger, Trey’s parents both smirked at his pun. “Get to bed!” growled his dad. Trey didn’t have to be told twice.
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