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Chapter 20

> Brendan’s philosophy on compatibility is pretty flexible. But his enthusiasm and determination are strong when daydreaming of Kimberly.

> Shoe polish to make a grey suit morph into a tux. Sure, what could go wrong?

> Kimberly is the kind of person who either makes you laugh or tests your patience. “I know this song. … How come you picked such a lousy song?”

> Joel tells Brendan “somebody” dropped the regular-sized tuba down the stairs. I’m guessing that somebody was named Slim Kroy (DON’T CARE HIGH) and that the tuba didn’t miss a step as it fell, “saying clang, bang, p-toom, boing, rattle, bam, fettuh-fettuh, futtuh-futtuh, clunk” during the denting process.

> But good news! Bruno and Boots (THE ZUCCHINI WARRIORS) know a great way to repurpose a broken tuba (if you also happen to have seven vacuum cleaner hoses available).

> Aaron and Bear’s obliteration of the band room is sickening. This isn’t a prank gone too far: It’s malicious and dangerous behavior, with injury and destruction clearly intended. And Principal Fitzwallace goes down several rungs in my estimation for letting the boys skate on a clear lie.

> Brendan makes sense as the choice to narrate the “One Man Band” chapter, of course—but it’s brilliant to have his perspective of Chase’s arrival and involvement in the band room disaster. It’s so heartening to see Brendan’s first inclination is to trust that Chase is not part of the attack. And so gutting when he starts to doubt.

> At least the chapter ends on a bright note. Kimberly Tooley, I didn’t think you had it in you to show up for Brendan in his darkest hour.

> With 20 chapters down in a 30-chapter book, the math is easy: We’re two-thirds of the way through RESTART.

@J.R. The universe seems to be throwing obstacles at you during this book club. But in “The Universe vs. J.R.,” my money’s on J.R. Even if you are anti-Kimberly. Where’s your youthful spirit of enigmatic affection? Unfathomable infatuation? Inexplicable puppy love?