"R. W. and Melvin," whispered T. J., "they hurt me bad." He looked up, expecting sympathy. But our faces, grim behind the light Stacey held, showed no compassion. T. J.'s eyes dimmed, then, undoing the buttons to his shirt, he pulled the shirt open and stared down at his stomach. —Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor What theme is T. J. realizing in this passage? A real friend would never hurt you. New friends are always there for you. Old friends will always help you. New friends always cause trouble.