in the shadow of Gene.
             We feel sympathetic for Billy because of the way he is treated by his father. His dad just criticizes him for everything he does, good or bad. When his dad found out that he was going to Baptist Church, his dad was as mad as a bat out hell. "Baptists! Baptists! I'm having your head examined. Do you here me? I'm having it examined! Just keep it up and see if I don't, you crazy little pecker. They roll in the aisles, Baptists, for chrissakes!"(Vanderhaghe p.589). Gene got in less trouble for crashing his dad's car than Billy did for going to church. Even Billy and Gene's dad favors Gene over Billy. "Shut your mouth. Don't go dragging your brother into this. Anyway what he done to the car was accidental. But not you. Oh no, you marched into that collection of religious screwballs, holy belly-floppers, and linoleum-beaters under your own steam. On purpose. For God's sake, Billy, that's no religion that - it's exercise. Stay away from them Baptists." (Vanderhaghe p.590). Gene can crash a car and still go out, but Billy can't leave the house on Sundays, let alone go to church. "You aren't setting foot outside of that door of a Sunday anymore,"(Vanderhaghe p.591). Billy's dad doesn't let him do anything he wants and that is why we are sympathetic toward him.
             We are also sympathetic for Billy when he takes the blame for the bad night. Billy goes to the door to get the girls and gets the third degree from Nancy's, Gene's date, parents and Gene just sits in the car and waits. In this story we are given the impression that Billy like Nancy, and when Gene takes off with Billy's date she tells Billy how much she liked Gene. "I never even thought he knew I was alive. Never guessed. And here I was, crazy about him. Just crazy. I'd watch him in the hallway, you know? I traded lockers with Susan Braithwaite just to get closer to his. I went to all the hockey games to see him play. I worshipped him." ...