Tom brings in a college buddy, notable writer Peter Stowe (Pat Harrington, Jr., "One Day at a Time") to do an article for his magazine. Pete mainly accepted just to visit with Tom. Pete had saved and unearths Tom's old manuscript he started in college. He thinks it's good and pushes Tom to finish it. Tom reluctantly decides to shut everything out and finish it, but begins feeling bad for not being his usual self for Eddie, and questions whether to continue. Eddie writes his own story- "The Big Shootout at Tombstone Gulch", and reads it to his dad. Eddie says Mrs. Livingston told him, "fathers make sacrifices for their sons, and sons should make sacrifices for their dad." Eddie encourages him to continue. Tom finally understands his feelings and makes his decision.
Moral theme: sense of place
Moral theme: sense of place