Firefly Lane Entry Two

Now farther along into the book, the difference in character traits between Tully and Kate is becoming more evident as the book progresses along with their age. Kristin Hannah does an excellent job of allowing the reader to have a clear and distinct insight into the characters in order for us to truly understand what the character is feeling and going through. This is crucial for the author to do when there are two characters that have two different personalities because it is interesting to see how both Tully and Kate are keeping their feelings a secret from one another, and how both characters are developing in two different people. However, the reader might also realize at this point that even though personalities change, some feelings are too powerful that they remain the same.

Tully and Kate are currently finishing college and they are trying to pursue the career choice that they had chosen back in the summer they met when they were 14 years old. Tully and Kate had decided that they both were to become the first female team of reporters. However, Kate begins to think that being a reporter is not the type of career that she planned for herself. She finds this difficult to tell Tully and her mom. The reader may feel surprised to see that Kate is not able to talk to her best friend about her true feelings because in the beginning of the novel, Kate had never kept a secret from Tully. However, Kate decides that she will give broadcasting a try after Tully had insisted that they work together as "interns". She agrees to go meet with Tully's boss, Johnny, in order to fill in the position of a secretary who left for maternity leave. Kate finds herself saying yes to the position after meeting Johnny, who she becomes automatically infatuated with. This secret is one that Kate did not share with Tully because she is afraid that Tully would tell her to ask him out, which causes a problem because Johnny is constantly admiring Tully, which gives Kate the impression that Johnny has the intention of asking her out. Throughout the novel, Kate constantly tells the reader that she feels like she is always Tully's shadow, which may play a significant factor in why Kate does not tell Tully everything.

The distinctive writing style that Kristin Hannah uses really keeps me interested in this book. Kristin writes so profoundly and in depth that it is impossible to put the book down. The friendship of Tully and Kate also progresses in a manner that everyone can relate to. The friendship starts out strong, but now it seems like it is getting weaker. It is almost as if the personality differences is getting in the way of their friendship. Tully seems confused as to why Kate is not her usual self who enjoys spending time with her, and Kate is confused as to why Tully is unable to see what is bothering her. When Kate thinks to herself "deeper down, in a dark place she rarely acknowledged, there was another fear, one she only recognized in her dreams and nightmares. In the cold light of day, she didn't believe it, but at night, alone, she worried that if Tully found out about Kate's love, it might actually make Johnny more attractive to Tully. That was the thing about her best friend; it wasn't that she wanted what she couldn't have. It was that she wanted everything, and sooner or later, Tully got what she wanted. Kate couldn't risk it. Not having Johnny she could live with. Losing him to Tully would unbearable." The reader is now able to see that Kate still is envious of her best friend and how she longs to be admired by someone for the type of person she is. Kat struggles to explain this problem to her friend, which may possibly lead to a disaster later on in the novel--what do you think???

Not only is Kate's feeling of envy staying the same, but Tully also is beginning to get stronger when it comes to dealing with her drug addicted mother, or so she thinks. When Tully was filming for a news broadcast, she remembered that her mom was staying at a local campsite nearby. Tully is surprised that she wants to go, since she has not seen her since the funeral of her grandmother, and she is stunned that she even has the urge to go as well. When Kristin writes "Tully tried to keep the pride out of her voice, knowing it was stupid to expect anything from her mother, but it was there anyway, in her eyes and in her voice, the shadowy remnant of the pathetic little girl who'd filled twelve memory books so that someday her mother would now her and be proud...Tully wished she'd never come here. She knew what to expect from her mother: nothing. Why couldn't she seem to remember that?" It become clear to the reader Tully still feels upset about her mom not being involved in her life, and how she still is hoping that being on the road to becoming a television broadcaster will make her mom proud. Also, but her remembering that she can't expect anything from her mom, it shows that Tully will be pained and reminded of that for the rest of her life, and how no matter how hard she may try to fight the feeling of abandonment, it will be stuck with her.

Look out for more information on what happens with Tully and Kate's friendship!!