2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Adam was thrown out of his family’s home and life when he was in high school after revealing he was gay. He was forced to survive on the streets and was emotionally damaged as a consequence, at least so said Jules. Up until he admitted his sexual orientation to his mother, theirs had been a loving relationship. What do you imagine was the impact of that rejection and the swiftness of it? Does Adam’s manipulative behavior fit the circumstances? Does it change any part of your opinion about him?

It explained a lot to me. It helped me understand Adam's inability to commit, and his need to hurt before he was hurt. It did help change my opinion.

How a parent reacts to their son or daughter admitting they are gay makes a huge difference in their relationship and in the child's future. Adam wanted to make sure he was the person calling the shots in any relationship. He would be the one to dump a boyfriend and not be the one who ended up dumped.

It did help me see him in a better light.

Adam's past explains a lot about his character, especially the fact that he puts himself above everyone else. It is a survival mechanism. Others cannot hurt him if he hurts them or abandons them first.

While I understand him better, this does not excuse his behavior, and I am not at all convinced that he is a better person now that he is with Tony. He is still as selfish as ever.

I cannot imagine my family turning their backs on me in a moment, throwing me out in the process…as a teen! How frightening and devastating. It certainly answers a lot about the how and why of Adam’s adult behavior.

With that said, I’m with Lauren that he’s not going to change overnight. But, he’s at a crossroad after achieving everything he set out to do other than win Robin. He’s an empty vessel and know it. I’m hopeful but wary. I know Brockmann gave them a happy ending three years later but I bet the path was rocky.