2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

John had a son, Thomas, when he was 16-years old with Patricia Donaldson and was forced by his father to keep him secret and was denied a formal relationship with Patricia. Graham and Laine never saw the boy after the day he was born, never owning him. Your thoughts about it all, including how a prominent politician could keep such a secret for all these years? Did you think this situation was connected to John’s murder?

Very sad for two characters I had a lot of sympathy for. It just messed up everyone involved big time. But by the time John was an adult and able to make his own decisions, he had moved on and become a different person. I thought of all the suspects, Patricia had the best motive to murder John.

I could see how John capitulated as a teen but once he was elected Senator, it was time for him to step forward and acknowledge his family. I couldn’t help but believe his murder was connected to this secret but I was looking more at the son than Patricia, especially after Freddie interviewed her.

I really couldn’t accept why neither Graham or Laine reached out to their grandson for 20 years! That stunned me.

There was no excuse for any of the O'Connors' behavior. Like Jonetta, I find it hard to believe that John continued to hide the woman he supposedly loved and his son for such a length of time.

John was clearly enjoying his carefree bachelor existence too much to acknowledge Patricia and Thomas. He never had any intention of revealing the truth.

That said, this does not excuse Thomas's vicious attacks on him and the innocent women in John's life.

The O'Connors were so good to Nick, basically treating him like a son, but couldn't acknowledge their own grandson. Something is seriously wrong with them.

Yes --- quite dysfunctional. I'm sure they are not the only grandparents not to acknowledge a grandchild,.

Yeah, I saw that in my own family. I’m still upset about it.

Anita wrote: "The O'Connors were so good to Nick, basically treating him like a son, but couldn't acknowledge their own grandson. Something is seriously wrong with them."

Obsession with social and political standing. They don't treat their other son any better and the daughter and son-in-law keep their financial situation to themselves. Supportive families would be there for them.

I really did not like the O'Connors for the way they treated Patricia and Thomas. It's ridiculous the way they hid their grandson away. And John was just as bad. You can forgive him when he was a teenager and doing what his father told him. But afterward, he could have joined them in Chicago. Instead he kept them hidden from the public.

Lauren, I like how you pointed out the way O'Connors other children are treated by their parents. The Senator tried to groom Terry as next in line until Terry got a DUI. Then he was kicked to the curb.

They figured they could hid a teen pregnancy, but not a DUI.

I agree with all of you. I'm not a fan of the O'Connors at all. I don't think John and Patricia would have stayed married all these years, but they should have a chance.

It wouldn't be that big a deal for a politician to have a child as a teen these days. It would be good to show a man who supports his child and is a good father. There will always be a religious fanatic who will strike out, but most of his constituents will not think twice about it.

It is a little strange that the O'Connors accepted Nick as a son but not their biological grandson.

Sharon wrote: "It is a little strange that the O'Connors accepted Nick as a son but not their biological grandson."

Nick was acceptable to them.
If I were being cynical, one could argue that "adopting" Nick, a poor scholarship kid with a lot of potential, looks good on a political resume.

Good point!

It may be cynical but probably on the nose.