Both Josh and his father struggle with the dichotomy of confidence and vulnerability throughout the novel. Each feels compelled to present a strong front even when they are unsure of themselves.

At the beginning of this story, Josh does not lack confidence. However, as the story progresses, Josh loses his footing and is set off-balance, first by the disruption of his relationship with JB, then by the declining health of his father. Josh builds his confidence on exterior factors: he’s a basketball star; his family is a happy, cohesive unit; and he’s best friends with his twin brother. When these exterior supports begin to deteriorate, Josh has to look inward to discover who he is and what he is capable of, rendering him vulnerable to love, loss, and pain.

Cutting his locs is another example of Josh’s struggle with confidence and vulnerability. Without his locs, he loses another part of his identity, as they were the only thing that differentiated him from his brother. As JB spends more time with Alexis and Josh struggles with the loss of his locs, which also connect him with his father, he has to face his fears around his identity and his family.