Question F

[Jonetta]

Tom and Kelly have a complicated relationship dating back to when they were teens. It was slowly revealed during the course of the book. Did it even come close to what you imagined? Do you believe that, deep down, Kelly never stopped caring for Tom and he her?

[Sharon]

Tom was the town's bad boy and Kelly was the rich good girl. Their friendship grew into more, but Tom was smart enough to know that Kelly was too young at the time. He left her to "protect" her and himself, however it was cowardly.

Personally, I think Tom needed to get away to make something of himself and give her a chance to grow up. Deep down he wanted to come back with something to offer Kelly, but he never managed to be in town when she was.

I do think he stayed away too long, but I believe they always cared for one another.

[Anita]

It was love for both of them from when they were both teens. Tom was right to back off and leave, but I didn't like that he just took off without talking to Kelly. She deserved more from him than that.

[Joanne Farley]

It was clear right from the start they were still very much into each other. I had guessed why Tom had left in a hurry but I was surprised that Kelly still felt the same about Tom, not really sure why I felt that though.

[Jonetta]

I chalk up Tom’s hasty departure to him being young and not knowing better. When he returned, I didn’t even need to know the details to be sure his feelings for Kelly hadn’t changed. Until near the end when she was saying she only saw Tom superficially, I was thinking the same about Kelly. The role reversal was kind of funny but I knew these two would eventually “find” each other again.