Epilogue: A Year Later

Adam has so many more stories than he has written in this book. He surpassed his own expectations for himself, and he is proud for this. All of his previous notions about shelters and homeless people were shattered. He says through this experience, he learned that everyone really is "the product of [their] surroundings" (Shepard 212). He also learned that everyone has problems, even the people society deems as lucky. The only way to be truly successful is to look at the good of every situation. In the end, money is only paper and ink. Happiness and success are choices that are made. Anyone can be happy in any situation they are put in. To be successful, people have to be positive and dedicated and must set goals. The greatest thing he learned was that America really is the land of most opportunity. Anyone with any background can achieve success; he just has to have the right attitude. The modern American dream includes financial stability and personal happiness where you already are in life. Successful people, according to Adam Shepard, are those who acknowledge the burdens they have to carry in their lives and not only deal with them but also constantly have smiles on their faces. He suggests a list of steps to take to diminish poverty in American society. They mainly include less costly education and improvements in the government. He knows that poverty will never cease to exist, but he thinks his steps can help decrease the amount and severity of it in America. He challenges his readers to actually do something about poverty. Every little bit helps. Helping children is the most rewarding gift anyone can give. It makes the giver feel good, and it sufficiently affects the child. His hero is Derrik; Derrik got out of poverty because he had the right attitude and he worked hard. He gives the reader the choice to be assertive, passive, or completely confused. The assertive will become successful. He proves that success completely depends on one's attitude.

Chapter Sixteen: One Last Move

Unfortunately, Adam has to end his journey before the set date. His mom is diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and cannot support herself financially. Adam moves back to Raleigh and works at the Fast Company there. He packs up all his stuff before he goes and reminisces about his 9 months in Charleston. He says that his body will never get used to moving and the toll it has on him. He has $5,300 for any other project he wants to do next; he started out with $25. He sees big things for himself in his future and knows that after this last 9 months, he will be able to get through almost anything. He sees Derrik for the last time the day before he leaves. He doesn't even tell Derrick that he's moving back to Raleigh. They often talk on the phone, but Adam has trouble working without him. No one has the work ethic that Derrik has. The last stop he makes on the morning he leaves is his favorite restaurant, Mama D's Dirty South Barbecue. He tells BG who he really is and all about his project; BG is in a better place than Adam was at the beginning, so Adam encourages BG to buckle down and work hard. He knows BG has the potential to be successful. BG is excited that he is going to be in a book and he understands that the people he surrounds himself with will not help him to success. He needs to have the right attitude about success, just like Adam did. He challenges BG to get his life in order by using Adam's approach toward the attitude of success.

Chapter Fifteen: Fighting for Respect

BG and Adam's relationship begins to get strained. BG doesn't comply to Adam's standards about the use of his truck, and they disagree more each day about serious issues. BG takes it many times, and Adam asks him nicely not to. Eventually Adam get fed up and plays a few tricks on  him to get the point across: the truck is Adams, so BG needs Adam's permission to use it. BG still doesn't get it. When BG returns from one of his journeys, Adam threatens to fight him, and they have a brawl. BG beats Adam badly. Adam needs stitches but refuses to go to the hospital. BG and Adam don't talk for 3 days, but when they do, they apologize and become best friends. BG borrows Adam's car within the limits he sets and helps with different things around the house. The temperature is rising, and Adam's situation is only getting better.

The point Adam tries to prove in this chapter is that any one looking for success can not let others walk all over them. Successful people are confident and assertive but kind and genuine too. Adam shows that no one has to be as assertive as he is in this chapter, but his point is made.

Chapter Fourteen: Culture Shocked

Adam learns to look at the jobs he does and be proud of what he's accomplished. Adam's biggest accomplishment is his 18-and-a-half hour move. The woman that the house belongs to hoards everything she has ever come across. He and his 2 coworkers complete it, but it is very difficult. He now views every other move as extremely easy. In February, Adam eats 5 tacos from a taco vender. He gets really sick for a week but can't afford to go to the doctor or stay home. He works anyway. Once he gets better, Adam and BG continue their constant but friendly bickering. Their small disagreements really have no effect on their relationship. Adam is really happy during his time living with BG and working with Derrik. They always laugh together and have fun. Adam sees that all the people around him now are also really happy, even though they are barely getting by. He's not used to living on this side of town, but he likes it here. Within a couple of months, Derrik buys his own home and is extremely happy to have his first true asset. Adam finishes his project before he is 6 months in. He likes where he is though, so he continues his situation to see where it will get him. He is wise and frugal with his money. He saves it anywhere he can. Just as he gets in a really good place, tragedy strikes.

Chapter Thirteen: Winter with Bubble Gum

Adam meets Bubble Gum, Derrik's cousin. Bubble Gum needs a place to live, so he and Adam rent an apartment together. They have a love-hate relationship. Together, they rent an apartment for very cheap, fix it up, and live in it. They move in and map out where all the furniture will go. They get along for the most part, but they disagree on finances and splitting costs evenly. BG and the management of Fast Company don't always get along either. Then, BG joins Adam and Derrik's moving group. He really ruins the chemistry of the group because he is lazy. It annoys Adam. He goes home for Christmas and realizes that his future is his job in Charleston. Charleston is now his life, and he will look back on this time and think how great it was. This realization proves to Adam that life is about the journey and the goals. He sets goals and reaches them with a good attitude. Now that he has to pay his own bills, he truly understands the worth of a dollar. He and BG try to save as much money as possible by conserving electricity and natural gas. He joins a gym and makes friends, which help him relax and be happier. The apartment is clean only when BG brings a girl home. This chapter mainly shows the importance of working well with others and being able to have fun. Someone who only works and has no fun will not be successful; the other way around is true too. Adam finds a good mix of the two and encourages readers searching for success to do the same.

Chapter Twelve: Workers' Consternation

Adam really starts to love his job. His customers appreciate him, and he appreciates them. Adam, Derrik, and Mike work hard together every day on more upscale moves. Many customers feel awe toward Adam because he can lift things they can't. One day in mid-November, Jed gets really angry at the workers. None of the men are trying hard enough to keep the customers' and the company's possessions from being damaged. He fires one guy, so Adam decides he wants to buckle down and do even a better job than he has been. Jed really only cares about making money. The previous manager, Sherman, truly cared about the movers and their well-being and happiness. Sherman made Fast Company fun and desirable. It isn't like that anymore. This goes to show that having the right attitude can change work ethic completely. Sherman motivated the movers, while Jed chastises them. Adam instantly feels accepted at Fast Company when the other movers tease him about his extremely short shorts. He finally feels like he belongs, which makes him want to work harder. He and Derrik throw Mike off their moving team and are now working together better than ever. Adam begins to search for a roommate and a new apartment so that he can move out of Mickey's house. He finds Bubble Gum, and his search is done.

This chapter again stresses the fact that a positive and determined attitude is the most important part of building success.

Chapter Eleven: Movin' On Up

Adam goes to a house one day in the city and assumes it will be an easy move. He goes inside and sees that the woman that is moving has packed none of her things. It takes them until 7:30 that night to finish the job. While Adam is on the job, he breaks a toe, but he continues his work. He goes to the hospital after work and realizes that this hospital visit will cost him. He won't be able to rent an apartment as soon as he would like.He is "so ready to 'move on up,'" but he can't due to his financial condition, or lack thereof (Shepard 137). Adam planned to move out of the shelter in 2 days, but he can't since now he is not able to work. He sat around for 5 days and did nothing. He thinks about how much worse the situation could be: there could be children involved who now have no money for meals since he can't work. He is very fortunate. On his birthday, he packs his things and moves into an attic room in the house of a friend, Mickey. He decides he will live there for 2 months. Then, he will get a nicer apartment. The next Wednesday, Adam's first day back at Fast Company, he is assigned to work with Derrik Hale. Derrik has worked for Fast Company for 3 years and is the best mover in the whole company. Not only is Derrik efficient, he is also a friendly guy. On the last day he rides the bus, Adam writes a letter to the bus driver. Every day, no matter what, the bus driver greets all the riders with a smile and "Good morning." Every day, he puts Adam in a good mood, even though he probably has no idea that he does. In his letter Adam thanks the bus driver for being so extraordinary although the man is and average Joe. His smile every morning really means a lot to Adam. Because he does not ride the bus anymore, he buys a truck, which he negotiates for with confidence and cash-in-hand. He works with Derrik and Mike, another great mover, for a few days, and they decide to form a crew together. Derrik and Adam form a true friendship, in which neither truly needs the other, but they work together anyways. Adam works more than 6 hours each day and is exhausted, but he knows that is exactly what he asked for when he began this project.

Adam stresses in this chapter the importance of true relationships with others. Surrounding oneself with people who have the right attitude is just as important as actually having the right attitude. People can get through life living on their own, but living with people who genuinely care is what will make success in the end.