Michelle’s Reviews > The Roach King of Raleigh > Status Update

Quill fails another geometry test, prompting Ms. P to offer him a choice: get a tutor, or tell his Mom he’s failing. Quill agrees to get a tutor & learns that it's Harley. At first, he felt embarrassed, but the more time he spent w/him the less he felt judged. When Harley’s Dad picks him up, he offers his friend a ride. Immediately, Quill recoils, still insisting that he doesn’t need friends & nothing lasts forever.

At the library, Quill begins his secret research on roach breeding but realizes he needs $ he doesn’t have to start. Zuri interrupts, then Harley arrives w/his chessboard & Connor is harassing him to play again. Defying his usual fear, Quill stands up for him by claiming that they were playing together, successfully driving Connor away. Though Quill still isn’t looking for friends, a shared enemy brings them closer.

After a Thanksgiving chat where Dave hints at a fractured relationship w/his daughter, Quill visits the pet store to buy more crickets for Pepper. He overhears Mrs. Liu firing her unreliable roach supplier. Quill asks if she’s hiring, but unfortunately she isn’t. Before he leaves, she jokingly suggests unless you start breeding roaches. Walking home Quill decides to do just that—and he’ll keep it a secret.

It’s Quill’s birthday. He’s certain his dad will show, but his mom is busy bracing him for the inevitable. When his dad fails to appear, the tuxedo cat arrives. They feed it a treat before it bolts. At this moment Quill recalls Dave’s words—it’s better to be alone than in bad company—so he convinces himself that everyone stays away because he must be the bad company. Quills belief feels heartbreaking…

Connor attempts to taunt Quill on his 56% geometry test w/a “see me” note at the bottom, but Harley steps in to intervene. After class, Ms. P checks on Quill & asks if everything is okay at home. He assures her everything is fine. Quill & Harley bond over their drawings, leading Harley to offer tutoring, but Quill’s fear of getting too close resurfaces. He gets embarrassed, rejects the help, and makes a quick escape.

Quill returns home to his Mom, who is upset at the 2 transactions on her card. She tells him to defend himself against Connor; Quill becomes defensive & calls her out on her own passivity toward the landlord. Unexpectedly, she hugs him & this softens the tension, shifting Quill's anger back to Connor. Their bond mends over a stray cat, but Quill remains guarded, convinced that even safe ppl can eventually hurt you.

Quill finds a basketball on an empty court & has the urge to shoot it. He misses his imaginary winning shot, only to hear Connor Daniels, Toad, & Hammer laughing behind him. Connor begins teasing him & begins to raid his groceries. Connor eats the snack he bought for his Mom & drives over the dish soap, the one thing his Mom requested for him to buy. It's really hard not to feel angry for Quill. Connor was so cruel.

Quill grabs a snack for his Mom & his fav neighbor, Dave Ginsburg, one of the few ppl who still bring a genuine smile to his face. Their chat is interrupted when Quill spots a German Shepherd–his Dad promised to buy him a dog for his b-day. He checks his cell & realizes 4 texts to his dad still haven't been answered & it's been 3 weeks. He begins to realize that his dad is probably not going to show up for his b-day.

Quill hasn't been okay for a while. His support system has crumbled: his best friend Jake moved away, his brother Cam got a full ride to Duke, 30 minutes away, but still has yet to visit. His Dad’s addiction led to reckless financial decisions, forcing Quill’s Mom to sell the house they grew up in to settle the debts. Now, Quill & his Mom live in a dilapidated rental house owned by a neglectful landlord, Mr. Daniels.