Running Loose

When Louie gets home, he finds Brenda waiting for him. Concerned about his well-being, she hugs him tightly. She tells him Norm is out looking for him. Later, Norm returns home and puts a hand on his shoulder. Louie notes, “in Trout that’s as close as a man gets to hugging another man” (105). They spend the evening together, having dinner and watching TV, and Louie’s parents try to distract Louie from his grief. Later, Louie feels the need to be alone and announces he will go for a drive. He reassures his parents he won’t do anything stupid.

Louie drives to Main Street and ends up at Becky’s house. He rings the doorbell, and Mr. Sanders welcomes him inside. Taking in the surroundings, Louie notices signs of Becky throughout the house: her piano, her posters, her medals. They sit on the couch, and Mr. Sanders tells Louie he knows it’s difficult to deal with such a loss at a young age. He offers Louie a beer and tells him that he and Becky were very close. Suddenly, Mr. Sanders throws the beer bottle into the fireplace, shouting, “What the hell is she doing dead?” (108). Louie places a hand on his shoulder, and Mr.