The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B

The group arrives at Holy Rosary Church, and Adam panics because he has a thing about entrances and needs to perform his rituals. Adam is nervous to tell them he has a threshold problem with the church doors. Wolverine starts to make fun of him, but Thor stands up for Adam, saying they will look away while he does what he has to do. Adam is shocked that Thor has paid attention to him. He then paces up and down the steps several times, taps the door exactly 111 times, and finally presses both hands against the door for three seconds, all while feeling shame. He calls the group over afterward; Robyn smiles at him, and they all go inside. Adam feels relieved that he “had done a ritual in public and the world hadn’t ended” (93).

They all take in the sight of the church. Adam explains what the bowls of Holy water are, how to do the sign of the cross, and how they should kneel before the Eucharist. He’s grateful the church is empty and they have it to themselves. They go to the side altar by the candles that are lit in remembrance of loved ones. They are all excited to light the candles. Wolverine makes a big show of putting $10 in the donation box for them.

Father Rick suddenly interrupts them, saying it’s great to see Adam. Everyone else kneels in front of the priest and makes the sign of the cross, thinking they should kneel before the Eucharist. Smiling, Father Rick tells them he is not the Eucharist, just a regular person. Adam explains that these are his friends and is surprised that it’s true. Robyn introduces herself to Father Rick and explains that Adam is helping her become Catholic. Father Rick asks how Adam’s mother is doing. He doesn’t want to lie to his priest but doesn’t want to betray his mom, so he avoids the question and says they paid for the candles. Father Rick says he likes Adam’s friends; they are always welcome, and his door is always open. Adam realizes he’s missed going to church; they haven’t come back since his parents divorced. As the group starts to head out, Adam realizes he has to clear the door again to go back outside and panics because he usually doesn’t have to when going out. His friends notice and say they’ll meet him outside. He feels shame and anger.

In Adam’s individual session with Chuck, the therapist asks if there’s anything ramping up the stress and anxiety. Adam knows it’s the letters. He still hasn’t pieced the crumpled one together, and his mom recently received another one; lately Adam has noticed her drinking more. He lies and tells Chuck no, nothing is bothering him. They switch to the List, which Adam says he hasn’t fully finished. In his List, Adam writes that Robyn is starting to see him differently, that he believes he’s growing taller, and that the threshold issue and counting are getting worse, but he can do the counting in his head now. Also, he wants to stop lying so much because it’s making him sick. He starts a line about his mom but doesn’t finish it. Chuck asks if his medication levels are working or if they should raise the Anafranil. Adam is quick to say no because he doesn’t feel many side effects with the Anafranil. Chuck tells him that when they start exposure response and prevention therapy, they’ll need his mother’s support, and she’ll have to come in. Adam says that won’t happen and that they’re on their own. He darts out quickly, promising Chuck he’ll do better.

Adam sees Robyn, Wolverine, and his dad exiting the clinic together after his session. He’s surprised that his dad knows where he attends group, but his dad is the one who pays for him to go. Adam asks if everyone is okay, and his dad says everyone is fine. He asks Adam to introduce him to his friends. Adam is eager to be alone with Robyn, but his dad says he’s needed at home because Sweetie is sick and wants Adam. Robyn tells him that it’s okay and they will walk together next week, which pleases him. Then Adam’s dad brags to Robyn and Wolverine that Adam is the best big brother to Sweetie, making him look good. Adam thanks him in the car. His dad thinks Robyn is a good find.

At his dad’s house, Brenda notices how tall Adam is getting; she bought him new pants, which are in his bedroom. Sweetie wants to play with Adam, but Brenda tells him to let Adam call his mom first. Adam considers doing the List because he needs to get better for Robyn. He feels he’s having a really good day, but when he calls his mom, she’s in distress over receiving another letter.

Adam wants to go home right away to be with his mom. Carmella insists that it’s okay, not wanting to raise suspicions. After Sweetie falls asleep, Adam gets the crumpled letter from his pocket. Unfortunately, the jeans have been washed and the pieces are all rolled up. He takes tweezers and sees that there’s magazine and newsprint paper. He can make out some words, such as bitch, ugly, die, whores, cow, and slut. He’s hyperventilating, but he thinks of Robyn to calm himself down. When he gets home the next day, his mom pretends everything is okay, and Adam pretends with her.

After the next group meeting, Chuck asks him to stay for a second. Adam worries that Robyn will leave without him. Chuck says he’s noticed that Adam is not really listening or being present in Group. Adam replies, “Group has been amazing for me” (118), realizing it’s true as he says it. He promises Chuck he’s getting better, then he sees Robyn has waited for him in the lobby. Robyn gives Adam a piece of paper with her cell and home phone numbers on it and tells him to call her. They get to Robyn’s mom’s grave, and Adam joins her prayer. Robyn tells Adam that she was the one who found her mom’s body. Robyn also says she’s making really good progress and getting better. Adam thinks, “He’d get better too, maybe. If it weren’t for the letters” (120).

He thinks about how much he wants to kiss her. They hug, and Adam feels taller and older. Even though Adam feels great about his relationship with Robyn, he remains anxious about two things: the letters, always the letters, and the fact that Robyn is getting better while he is getting worse. He worries about losing her. Robyn says goodbye, and Adam is left thinking about who could be sending the letters.

Four days after Robyn gave Adam her number, he calls her for the first time. He confides to her about the letters his mom is getting. She’s the first and only person he’s told, and he feels immediate relief from telling her. She looks up threatening letters on the internet, which says to contact local authorities. Adam says they can’t go to the police or tell anyone else about the letters because his mom has other issues that she doesn’t want anyone to see, like the collecting and hoarding. When they hang up, Adam is smiling and doesn’t need to count.