The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

As the friends’ paths are diverging, Sam hosts a dinner party as one last opportunity to savor their dwindling childhoods. Ernie leaving early to see his girlfriend represents an already growing gulf between the friends, each setting out on their own journey. They three have held fast to each other to weather the storms of adolescence, but distance will test their friendship as they go their separate ways.

The author builds sexual tension in Mickie and Sam’s relationship throughout much of the narrative, and the consummation of their mutual love comes at a pivotal moment and without any forethought or discussion. However, the triste is not without irony. In Part 4, Chapter 6, Mickie indeed promised Sam she would have sex with him before he left for college, but by the time the deed is actually done, the situation has altered dramatically: The promise was on the condition that Sam would still be a “virgin” at the time, but now Sam has already had sex; the promise was also under the assumption that Sam would be leaving for college, but now he is staying home for a year while Mickie leaves; Mickie initially made the promise jokingly and a bit patronizingly, but the actual sexual encounter is sincere and involves her emotional vulnerability; and finally, when Mickie made the promise, Sam was uncomfortable with it, but now Mickie is the clearly uncomfortable one. Indeed, her abrupt exit leaves Sam to wonder how to proceed with their relationship, and her early departure for college is an attempt to avoid dealing with her emotions. Sam realizes Mickie has significant trauma from her parents’ unhappy marriage, and she struggles with trusting others. The question looms whether the two can find a way back to each other despite the many roadblocks standing in their way.

Madeline returns home in an exhausted state, realizing she has neglected her home and her son. The weight of caregiving takes a tremendous amount of physical and emotional energy. The author provides a touching moment where a mother and son reconnect and formulate a plan to go on with life in the face of such a tumultuous shift in their family dynamics. Though Max’s stroke is sorrowful, the tragedy provides an opportunity for Sam and his mother to connect in a new way. Gone are the days of Madeline’s oppressive religious overtures and attempts to control every facet of Sam’s life. Mother and son settle into a new phase of their relationship where they are more friends and equals than parent and child.