As Brave As You

Their grandmother rushes Genie and Ernie to the hospital, where a doctor re-implants two of Ernie’s three missing teeth. At the hospital, the boys learn that their grandmother was a nurse for 30 years before retiring. They return home, and Ernie is self-conscious about his teeth. Genie tries to cheer him up, and the boys talk about fear, bravery, and trusting their instincts.

Their grandmother shows them the Purple Heart medal that Wood was awarded posthumously for his bravery in the Desert Storm conflict. Wood wrote her a letter shortly before he was killed, and she could tell that he was afraid. She tells the boys that they’re descended from a line of brave men—Brooke, their father, and their uncle were all brave, although they showed it in different ways. When their grandmother calls Genie’s parents to tell them about Ernie’s teeth, Genie’s father is livid about Brooke’s role in the accident and refuses to talk to him. Later that night, when Genie and Brooke go outside again, Brooke pointedly leaves his gun on the table dismantled. A rainstorm begins while they’re outside, and they let the rain wash over them.