Trina asked Jeff Hobbs:

Found 'Peace' at a bookstore in Berkeley, my alma mater, and could not put it down! I too worked at the univ cafeteria, a poor minority among peers with money and two-parent homes. You capture this, and the deep love of a parent and child who've struggled together, so well. Thank you. My questions: Do you think Rob would be alive if Carl hadn't stolen? Was Jackie aware of this thievery? Has Jackie been able to travel?

Jeff Hobbs Hi and thank you so much for reading and responding to Rob's story, and reaching out with such kind words. It means a lot, for real. So sorry for the years-long delay in responding. I really don't spend time on social websites but am trying to be better about that, as my next book called Show Them You're Good comes out in August, about young men in different neighborhoods finishing high school and aspiring for college. As for your question, it's a hard one to answer, certainly with any confidence. There are a lot of moments that, had they unfolded differently, would have maybe led to better outcomes. There is also a lot of randomness. It all speaks to the messiness of being a person, and having a consciousness, and having values--often conflicting values--that we use to make decisions. I'd like to think that, had that money not disappeared, he probably would have gone back to school and been teaching and raising a family now. He would have been great at both. (Yesterday, in fact, would have been his 40th birthday.) But, again, no one really knows--we just know that he was a fundamentally good guy who made some poor choices, but whose life was far more meaningful than his death. Also--Jackie never knew about that money situation; Rob was very skilled at hiding things from her and a lot of others who loved him. That was a big part of how things ended, as well. In the meantime, wishing you all the best, sincerely, Jeff

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