Chapters 28 – 30 (pages 214 – 230) why do Junior and Rowdy climb the tree? What does this symbolise?

Rowdy liked the idea of climbing the tree because he wanted to do something dangerous. Junior couldn't say no.... because what they did.... they did together. Climbing the tree symbolized friendship.... it symbolized loyalty and sticking together.

It wasn't really open to debate. I had to climb the tree. Rowdy knew I had to climb the tree with him. I couldn't back down. That wasn't how our friendship worked.