Part of Bug’s journey is about accepting his uncle’s death and healing from his grief. Bug’s closeness with his uncle is reflected when Bug describes the moment of Roderick’s death: “The moment he dies, I know” (9). Bug has grown up with his mother and uncle as his entire family; Roderick’s death is a major blow, even though it is not unexpected. Roderick has been sick for a long time. 

Initially, Bug deals with his feelings of grief by pushing them away. He comforts his mother as she grieves, and spends Roderick’s memorial doing dishes and laundry to avoid having to talk about his feelings. The idea of telling other people about Roderick’s death is horrible: Bug is sad that he cannot attend camp, but he also realizes that telling everyone that his uncle just died would be very unpleasant. Sabrina knows that Bug is independent and mature. This sometimes means that she lets him manage his emotions on his own, while also being prepared to support him if needed.

Bug does not really feel that the stages of grief apply to his process, but he does want to move toward acceptance. His interactions with Roderick’s ghost are part of how Bug ultimately accepts his death.