As the seniors leave today, it means we are one step closer to summer. For Benji, summer was a time to redefine who you are. He took these three months to prove he's not the little nerdling who plays Dungeons and Dragons for fun.
From the beginning, we see Benji in the car with Reggie, where we learned that they "recently ceased to be twins." Benji and Reggie were growing apart, Reggie with his pristine Filas, and Benji with his beat up converse. Benji with his job at Jonni Waffle, and Reggie at Burger King. Overall we don't hear all that much from Reggie.
Benji and Reggie seemed to get a lot closer at the bonfire, but they are different people. At the end of the novel we see Benji's plan for the school year, and it seems quite different from how Reggie has been acting. Benji has distinct plans to get to get combat boots, because they technically aren't prohibited, new pants, a new jacket and a plaid New Wave "number." He wanted to impress the ladies, go to parties where his reputation wasn't known, and lay off the Cokes.
"People called me Benji but that didn't mean I wasn't Ben." I think this statement is huge. Although people might not outwardly notice a change, he knew he was Ben and that's all that matters. He started the change to become who he wants to be.
"A lot happened over the summer. It didn't work out the way I had envisioned it but you had to admit some stuff happened." Benji started his his change, and he seems to be content with what happened over this summer. And I have to say, I really enjoyed being able to watch and reminisce with Ben.
As I am writing this, I'm thinking of the seniors we will be missing on Monday, how the juniors are going to have to step up and take on the role of the oldest in the school, I want to thank everyone for being a part of my school year, look how far we've come.
So, welcome to summer. Who will you be next fall?
