February 27, 2013
12-12:20
Water for Elephants
Pages: 325-337

The show is over and even though he liked it Jacob says its nothing compared to ringling or the benzini brothers because for a show like that you need a train. He goes back to Charlie's trailer and tells him everything from Marlena to the red lighting to the stampede and to Rosie killing August. He never even told Marlena that. He feels better after telling someone because he's kept it inside for a long time. He tells more about his history and how he had 3 kids while working at ringling but they left because Marlena didn't want to be on the road anymore. It turns out Jacob got his veterinary lisence and became the veterinary at a zoo in Chicago due to his degree and years of experience and his elephant. They got a house not too secluded but big enough that they could keep the horses and bobo. He remembers his kids as babies and taking care of them and how they got into trouble along with bobo who got arrested once and then they went to college and now he's alone. Charlie is very interested in the story. The cops knock on the door and ask Charlie if he has seen an elderly man because the man was suppose to be in an old folks home. Charlie lies to the cop saying he hasn't seen anyone of that discription but when the cops asks about Jacob Charlie says its his dad who can't talk because he had a stroke. It turns out Jacob was 93 and he realizes he has nothing to loose and is going to run away with the circus since he doesn't need any medicine and can take care of himself mostly and he can sell tickets and will send postcards to his family even though he still loves them and they love him Jacob understands that they have thier own families now and he is no longer a large part in their lives so he has nothing to hold him back. Charlie agrees and it turns out that the circus is Jacob's home.

I like the quote "With a secret like that, at some point the secret itself becomes irrelevant. The fact that you kept it does not." Because it's true. After you keep something for so long it doesn't matter what it was but the fact that you kept it a secret for so long. It makes people hesitant and puts some doubt of trust in the relationship. I admire Jacob for working hard and changing his life when he didn't like it instead of just complaining. Although some parts were weird I think the book was pretty good in general.

I read now because I really wanted to finish the book and see how it ended and it was good and I read well.