The purchasing of the red convertible is the puzzle piece that builds Henry and Lyman's strong brotherhood. Being brothers and co-owners of the car, they share a common bond. It also gives the two brothers the freedom they had searched for since they were kids. The car symbolizes Henry and Lyman not only as a team, but also as it takes them to a new level and creates a great friendship as well. The car takes them all over the country, and this gives them plenty of time to form a tight bond. The convertible also creates a complete circle of love. Henry and Lyman also share the same feelings in the car. They like the car so much that they go so far as to give it human characteristics: "There it was, parked, large as life. Really as if it was alive" (Erdrich 184). They make the car seem like another brother to them. This takes their double bond and creates a triple bond, making them inseparable. Henry and Lyman do not know that the war will have the strength to break this triple bond.
Henry and Lyman's grow apart while Henry is away at war. When Henry returns home Lyman expects to pick up where they left off, but that is not possible. Henry grows quiet and cold and is withdrawn from Lyman: "But he was quiet, so quiet, and never comfortable sitting still anywhere but always up and moving around" (Erdrich 186). This is because Henry has