Answer and Explanation:
This question refers to the short story "The Deep," by Anthony Doerr. Tom, Mother, and Mr. Weems all live together. Tom has a serious heart condition, easily coughing blood and even fainting because of it. The doctor tells Mother Tom will live up to be 16, maybe 18 if he's lucky. Afraid for her son, Mother forbids Tom to do anything tiring or exciting.
<u>One day, Tom is visited by a girl whom he likes. She gives him a jar full of tadpoles. Tom gets visibly excited about the whole thing, but his mother empties the jar angrily. This where the conflict between her and Mr. Weems arises. Mr. Weems tells her Tom needs to live his life, go outside, enjoy things. Keeping him alive like that was no good - what is the use of being alive if one cannot enjoy life at all?</u>
<u>The resolution of the conflict is convenient for Tom. His mother loosens her rules, and he begins to go out more and even to go exploring around with the girl.</u> At the end of the story, Tom is 21, alive, and happy to have one more day to live.
