Falling Short

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains depictions of bullying and substance use disorder.

Isaac and Marco’s friendship illustrates how supportive friendships can be instrumental in overcoming life’s challenges and reaching one’s goals. The two boys are very close. Marco comments,

I’m not sure if everyone has a best friend like I do…I’m talking best friends who know you inside out…friends so close that they feel more like a brother or sister. That’s what I’ve got in Isaac. And I would do anything for him. Just like he’d do for me (181).

Marco repeatedly takes time to hear Isaac’s feelings about his parents fighting and struggles with school; in fact, Marco is the only person who Isaac trusts with his innermost thoughts and fears. Isaac, in turn, offers Marco a sympathetic ear when Marco needs to talk about his relationship with his father and his feelings of inadequacy.

The two boys provide one another with practical support in addition to emotional support. Isaac is a crucial part of Marco’s progress in basketball. He takes the time to explain the game and coach Marco for hours and hours. He talks Marco up to Coach Chavez and gets Marco through team tryouts.