The scene between Kelley and Jasper in the barn represents their first spoken interaction since the 4th of July dance, when Kelley showed up intoxicated and tried to punch Jasper. Thus, it is only reasonable at this point in the film that we expect Kelley to finally deliver an apology after all the humbling he's done over the summer. Perhaps as a result of this expectation, it is even more incredible when Kelley informs Jasper, "Am I supposed to stay? I'm not from Putnam, remember? I've got a life to get back to."

This is one of those remarkable scenes in which we learn everything we need to know about the characters; in Kelley's case, the viewer is suddenly aware that in addition to his previous offenses, he doesn't have such a problem with his old life after all when his small-town girlfriend gets a fatal disease. As for Jasper, given a chance to speak his mind at last, he proves that Mother Theresa has nothing on him as he delivers the following speech:

Do you know how much it kills me every time that I see her look at you? Every time that I hear her say your name, for Christ's sake? But no matter how much it tears me up inside to see you with her, the one thing that I want right now is for you to get over your shit so that you can be with her. Because she needs you right now!

To be sure, Jasper's selflessness is the kind of personal growth Judge Maddick had in mind when she sentenced these boys to rebuild what they destroyed. So far, Jasper is the only character to put someone else's needs before his own, let alone having to inform the film's romantic lead that loving another person is a serious responsibility (especially when Kelley has hurt so many people along the way). On the other hand, it is possible that Kelley is fully aware of the gravity of love, and in fact he is so irritable because Jasper has ruined his chance to share a tearful goodbye with the cows.

Of course, it is fully understandable that the truth can hurt, but wisdom from an unlikely source is usually enough to change a character's mind; and so, once again, it is all the more shocking when the very next scene depicts Kelley skipping town for the second time this week. When his limo pulls up to the Cavanaugh house, it is hard to imagine that Samantha and her family don't notice, but Mr. Cavanaugh's heart-to-heart with his daughter is ultimately more important. But as Samantha tearfully explains that falling in love with Kelley has been the most fulfilling event of her entire life, she is blissfully unaware that Kelley is right outside saying "Let's go!" to his limo driver while she dies of cancer. Undeniably, in this ongoing battle of psychological abuse, Kelley has secured his victory.