Johnson had become a member of their family. Losing him was like losing a child. Joe Robert had already taken on the role of father figure, but “The Telegram” marks the point where he really begins to grow up and look at life as an adult. Loss and pain are inevitable parts of life and bring Joe Robert back to awareness. At first he resists the news just like the rest of the family, but one by one they come to accept it. The book says that Cora was the toughest person, but the pain of losing Johnson stays with Joe Robert for some time. The Kirkmans never blame Joe Robert for Johnson's