Defensive End: Learning More about Anxiety and Communication with Help from Gramps

As a sequel to The Baseball Bat, Tom Mochina, now 12 years-old, has learned to control his anger in most situations. When he fails to control his anger, he has learned to figure out what happened on his own to help him in future situations. He still struggles with anxiety and faces some new anxiety provoking situations. He encounters death and starts to think about his own mortality. He still has a difficult time with his single mother dating men. Tom continues to play sports. He does well in baseball and still dreams of being a major league player. He enjoys football and has developed into a good defensive end, but now wants to be the team’s quarterback. He worked on developing quarterback skills by throwing at trees when he didn’t have anyone play with. To gain more playing time, he plays in a league with weight restrictions that are difficult for a boy of his height. He is working hard and wants to be a good basketball player too. Tom continues his relationship with his neighbor whom he calls Gramps. Gramps helps Tom to understand anxiety and defensiveness. A new role model for Tom, Gramps’ son Charlie, emerges and gains Tom’s respect with his knowledge of sports. Tom has now made some friends and is learning to be more comfortable around girls. He continues his pursuit of a romantic relationship and starts to learn about what characteristics go into a good relationship with a girl. He is forced to learn how to move on with life when relationships end.