The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace

Jeff is just a few days away from getting married to Rebecca. On a Friday, he drives down to Newark to get lunch with Robert, who’s going to be one of his groomsmen. They have a long, drunken lunch, during which they reminisce about Yale. During the lunch, Robert also tells Jeff about his challenges as a schoolteacher. The work is hard, but Robert is looking forward to being able to travel back to Rio. Jeff tells Robert that he’s just sold his first novel, and Robert proudly tells Jeff, “I’ll pick up a copy.”

Both Robert and Ty are groomsmen at Jeff’s wedding. The former roommates have a great time drinking and dancing. At the end of the night, Robert thanks Jeff and says good night. That's the last time Jeff ever sees his old friend.

One night, Robert, Victor, and Big Steve, Victor’s older brother, are discussing Robert’s decision to deal drugs. Big Steve says that Robert doesn’t need to sell drugs, but Robert calmly replies, “doing what I gotta do.” Oswaldo, who’s beginning medical school, tells Robert, “Get the fuck out of Newark.” Robert doesn’t listen.

Why doesn’t Robert just leave Newark? Hobbs asks. To begin with, he’s loyal to his family. Furthermore, he likes being around his old friends, to whom he’s extremely loyal, and who are very loyal to him. Robert is very generous with his time and money, even though he’s barely getting by himself. In his own way, Oswaldo later says, Robert is “fronting,” pretending to be tougher and more capable than he really is. Around this time, Robert learns that Skeet has brain cancer.

Meanwhile, Raquel Diaz is living in New York while her soon-to-be husband is in medical school. Robert visits her all the time, usually bringing weed. He also visits Rio a few more times, thanks to a cousin who works for an airline. Robert tells Raquel that he wants to live in Rio part-time. Raquel tells him, “You went to Yale. If you can’t figure out how to do what you want to do, that’s your own damn fault.” Robert admits she’s right.

In his spare-time, Robert works on a new appeal for his father, this time on medical grounds. He writes letters to prison officials, emphasizing his father’s good behavior and begging that he be allowed to leave jail. But because New Jersey prisons are tightening security at this time, Robert’s requests are denied.

Friar Leahy senses that something is wrong in Robert’s life. But, just as he’s always done, Robert conceals his emotions. He works intensely with his students and athletes and refuses to open up to Leahy.

Robert finds it hard to deal drugs in Newark, because it’s hard to find good marijuana. Robert begins to grow his own mixed strain of marijuana, growing the plants in his basement and treating them with butane—a task that consumes much of his time. Robert’s friends ask him why he’s still dealing drugs—surely he could find a better job somewhere else. Robert never gives them a straight answer.

Robert spends a lot of time visiting Skeet in prison. It becomes clear to him that Skeet doesn’t have much longer to live. In August 2006, Robert learns that his latest appeal has been denied: Skeet will be kept in prison, in spite of his medical history and the circumstances of his conviction. Later that month, Skeet dies of respiratory failure. The funeral is simple. Robert tells Victor, “I lost my father three times. First when he went to jail. Second when he went back to jail. And now he’s in the ground.”

As the 2006-2007 school year begins at St. Benedict’s, Robert begins to plan a career in real estate. He thinks that he can make money by “flipping homes,” and cockily believes he’ll be able to pass the real estate exam. To his amazement, he fails the test the first two times that he takes it. On his third attempt, in 2007, he passes. Robert tells his friends that he intends to get into real estate, continue teaching, make enough money to support Jackie, and go to graduate school. Yet Robert’s friends—as well as Friar Leahy—notice that he seems burnt out.

One night, Robert is growing marijuana in his basement when he gets word from Tavarus that Boobie, a member of the Double II Set gang, has a beef with Robert. Robert has been selling his product to Boobie’s usual customers. Later Boobie’s car is parked outside Robert’s house. Robert chooses to go outside and greet Boobie. They sit in the car, and before long, the two of them are laughing.

The following spring will be Robert’s last at St. Benedict’s. He’s informed Friar Leahy that he’ll be taking time to travel and then applying to graduate school. At the end of the school year, Robert attends the senior banquet, where he sees Charles Cawley. Though Robert has seen Cawley from time to time since returning to St. Benedict’s, the meetings are usually awkward. Cawley greets Robert and says he’s sorry—Leahy has told him about Robert’s father. Robert tells Cawley that he’s thinking of applying to graduate schools, but doesn’t specify which ones. As Robert speaks, Cawley notices anger in Robert’s eyes. Cawley, a financier, thinks of Robert as a “poor investment.” He’s invested six figures in Robert’s future, but Robert hasn’t realized his potential.

Robert never applies to a single graduate school. Instead, he focuses his attention on real estate. But he comes to realize that it’s not a good time to get into real estate in Newark, so he’s going to need another job. A few weeks after the senior banquet, he begins a job at Newark International Airport.