Deadline

Dallas has been ignoring Ben ever since she threw him out of her house. They see each other in school but don’t talk. Ben feels anxious about seeing Rudy again and talking to Cody, too. At lunch one day, Ben tells Cody that he and Dallas broke up and that he and Cody need to talk.

Cody listens while Ben explains everything. He wishes Ben had come to him for support but doesn’t get angry. Ben assures him that he’ll be with him even after he dies.

Unable to sleep, Ben gets up at three in the morning and goes to the garage. Rudy is lying on his bed in the dark with a stack of books and an envelope addressed to Ben beside him. Ben realizes that Rudy is dead. He calls the police and explains that he found Rudy and thinks that he died by suicide. He heads home before the police arrive, bringing the envelope with him. The envelope contains a note from Rudy to Ben. Rudy apologizes that he couldn’t keep his promise to Ben and stay alive. He thanks him for their time together but explains that he couldn’t live with himself any longer and asks Ben to keep his secret. Ben reads it over and over. Ben doesn’t like what Rudy did but feels sorry for him.

Ben visits the county courthouse to see Sheriff Osborne before school. The sheriff is more excited to talk about Ben’s pass in the Horseshoe Bend game than about Rudy. Afterward, Ben drives to school and sits in the parking lot feeling tired. He has been having episodes of weakness recently. He can’t even participate in Lambeer’s class the way he usually does. He’s also distracted by thoughts of Rudy.

Later, Ben visits Rance Lloyd, a local antique shop owner, about signing his petition. Rance wants to support him but doesn’t want to jeopardize his business. Afterward, Ben reflects on his project and how selfish he has been (276). He realizes that Malcolm X has been teaching him “so much about baby steps” (276). He wonders if someone else will pick up his project after he dies.

Another day, Lambeer checks in with the class about their projects. Ben admits that he hasn’t gotten the signatures he needs but also says that he isn’t giving up. Lambeer reminds him that failing the class could cost him his diploma. Ben argues that it doesn’t matter if he graduates. The class erupts and Lambeer dismisses Ben to the library, where he sits and reflects on the mistakes he’s made.

Ben asks to speak to his parents in his mom’s bedroom. When Ben shares the news, Ben’s dad looks defeated and Ben’s mom sobs silently. His dad dismisses Ben and says he’ll stay with his mom.

Ben feels guilty for making his family so upset. However, he feels lighter now that he has told the truth. By February, the disease has started to progress, and Ben grows weaker. He has more and more episodes and has to stay home more often. Meanwhile, he tries to focus on school, but he’s often distracted by thinking about Dallas, Joe Henry, Rudy, and life and death.

Ben talks to Hey-Soos again. Ben admits that dying is harder than he expected. He still feels distressed about hurting his loved ones, too. Hey-Soos encourages him to take care of himself first before he can take care of others. When he wakes up, Ben realizes he won’t see Hey-Soos again until he changes (286).

Ben visits Dallas. She is still upset with Ben and doesn’t know if they can see each other but agrees to let Ben play with Joe Henry. She stays inside while Ben and Joe Henry throw the ball in the yard. Meanwhile, Ben reflects on his most recent conversation with Hey-Soos.

In mid-February, Lambeer confronts Ben about missing too many classes. They get into another argument about politics, which upsets Lambeer. Ben doesn’t back down because “when you’re dying, there is no danger” (294). Then Lambeer tells Ben that he can’t make the arguments he’s making because he doesn’t have enough experience. Ben reveals that he’s dying, saying he’ll never get the experiences Lambeer is referring to. The class is silent, and Lambeer is confused.

The school is quiet when Ben arrives the next day. He thinks it has to do with his revelation but soon discovers that Sooner died in a car accident. Phelps makes an announcement to the school, and Coach talks about it with Ben and Cody.

At home, Ben makes a playlist to capture how he’s feeling. Meanwhile, he thinks about Sooner, comparing his death to his own coming death. He goes for a run in the woods to clear his head but feels weak only a few miles in.

Ben attends Sooner’s funeral. Cody leaves the service early, and Dallas sneaks in and takes his seat beside Ben. She doesn’t say anything but pats Ben’s leg.

Ben’s health fades throughout the weeks following Sooner’s funeral. He hasn’t been able to attend school as regularly. Meanwhile, Ben’s mom is still locked in her room. Cody starts to prepare for college, and Ben comforts himself with the fact that his brother will be okay after all (304).

Doc Wagner sends a hospital bed to Ben’s house. He spends most of his days resting and trying to ignore his pain. He hopes to graduate but is unsure if he’ll make it that long.

On one of Ben’s good days, Cody takes Ben to Boomer’s house. He gives Boomer his condolences and asks if he wants him to give Sooner a message when he dies. Boomer says to tell Sooner he’s sorry about his collarbone (306).

Ben often feels Dallas’s presence at his bedside. He’s not sure she’s really there but he can sense her. Then one day, Marla comes to visit Ben. She apologizes for giving up on him. Ben forgives her and encourages her to give her love to new patients. Dallas arrives and Marla leaves. Dallas apologizes for her reaction and lies on the bed near Ben. Ben apologizes to her again for hiding the truth.

Cody delivers Ben’s address at Trout High School’s graduation. In the speech, Ben explains the goals he made for the year when he learned that he was dying. He shares all the lessons he learned along the way and encourages his classmates to live life to the fullest. He also implores them to finish his Malcolm X Avenue project.

Cody and Dallas start spending time together. They will both be attending the same college in the fall. While out on a run together one day, Cody suggests that he and Dallas house together the following year so he can help her with Joe Henry. She promises to think about it. Then, they split their headphones and listen to one of Ben’s favorite songs. When they pass the Cowanses, they see a handmade sign reading Malcolm X Avenue (316).