2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Noah’s father’s friend Marsh has made it his mission to look out for his Army buddy’s family since he died. However, he’s used Noah as an “emotional punching bag” since he got into trouble w during his hactivist days. What do you think was really going on with this man? Why did Noah’s mother put up with his behavior? Does she reciprocate his feelings? Is there any chance Marsh can have a more respectful relationship with Noah going forward?

I believe that Marsh had a problem with Noah before his activist days. Noah was trying to work out many conflicting emotions: his father's death, Marsh trying to be a substitute father, Marsh trying to be the man of the house when Noah believed that was his job, and Noah sensed that Marsh was trying to make a move on his mother.

Unfortunately, Noah never worked out these feelings until Alexis. Marsh is to blame for a lot of that. If Marsh had tried to help Noah with man-to-man talks instead of putting him down, Noah might have resolved his conflict differently.

When Noah became an hactivist, it was the perfect opportunity for Marsh to strike out at Noah and blame him because Marsh never became a real stepfather. His mother needed to stand up to Marsh a long time ago. Like she said, "he is my son."

Regarding the relationship with his mother, Marsh became her connection to her husband. His mother wasn't ready to move on to another real relationship early on when Marsh professed his love. As time went by, he was a convenient friend.

Marsh will always have some degree of animosity toward Noah. His mother knows it and will never be anything more than a friend to Marsh. Noah is right. Marsh has kept his mother from finding happiness.