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selling stuff, trying to save money and eat at the same time. I never thought about it then,
but I can see now that it was a pretty rough time for us” (Hinton 26). Byron’s problems
stem from this economic instability. Mark’s drug dealing and Charlie’s murder originate
from money-making solutions, primarily to pay hospital bills. Such a life negatively
affects Byron’s growth, exemplified in the real-world research of the European Journal
of Public Health: “parental unemployment mostly has a negative effect on adolescents’
health by limiting the access to financial, social, and cultural resources and owing to
tensions within the family” (Pfoertner). These financial conflicts harshly inform the type
of lesson on reality Byron’s trauma teaches him: adulthood economics are uncontrollable.

Furthermore, Byron’s lack of a mentor showcases the importance of wise
guidance in adolescent growth. Because of his hospitalized mother, Byron’s only real
mentor is Charlie. In addition to helping Byron with transportation, Charlie offers
desperately needed advice for Byron to grow: “Byron, you’re an honest kid in most ways,
but you lie like a dog . . . I trust your actions, but I double-check most of your statements.
You just think about it, and I think you’ll come up with the reason why you haven’t got a
job before now” (Hinton, 44). When Charlie is traumatically murdered, Byron loses
guidance and his mistakes deteriorate to losing Mark’s friendship. Without a mentor,
Byron’s transition into adulthood by trauma is painful and without ease.

Byron’s tale ends by traumatically losing Mark and his childish confidence,
concluding: “And to think, I used to be sure of things” (Hinton 159). Byron also becomes
numb to his world: “It’s like I’m worn out with caring about people” (Hinton 159). This
reaction aligns with real life trauma studies from the Journal of Counseling &
Development: “traumatized children may withdraw from social interactions, human

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