Jeff receives an email from Steven, who happily updates him on his adventures. Jeff responds with another unsent email, this one explaining his grief and frustration over Tad’s relapse, his apparent breakup with Lindsey, and his resentment of Steven’s absence. However, he also empathizes with his brother having to deal with Jeff’s own diagnosis a few years earlier. His mother tells him that Steven is rebelling now because he could not do so as a teenager but assures him that Steven will come back soon.

Jeff is angry at Tad and Lindsey for not telling him the truth about Tad’s condition. Tad now refuses to work out on the treadmill, arguing that he will not be going to graduation anyway because of his upcoming bone marrow transplant. Jeff becomes upset and ends up in the counselor’s office. When he opens up about feeling guilty for ruining his loved ones’ lives with his cancer, she explains that he is not responsible for his diagnosis and convinces him to do his best to support Tad.

As Tad’s health deteriorates, Jeff thinks of doing a beau geste for him, as well as one for his father. Jeff asks his father for help with some math problems, which the latter is happy to offer.