Assignment 2 (p.20-40), #5: What is Gene implying when he claims that Finny saved his life and almost lost it (p. 33)?

When Finny encouraged Gene to climb a tree and then jump out into the water, Gene almost fell out. If Finny hadn't grabbed Gene's arm to secure his balance, Gene could have been seriously injured. Gene spent a great deal of time reflecting on the moment with Finny, claiming, "Yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me (p.33)." Despite his peer-pressure antics, Finny is a good guy. When Gene was pressured into jumping off of a tree, he felt a sense of fear and distrust in Finny. Finny portrayed the intimacy of his relationship with Gene when he grabbed his arm, showing he supports Gene.

Gene implied the the constant risk of having a roller-coaster relationship with Finny when he explained how Finny saved his life but almost took it away. The feeling of fear distrust in Finny is similar to the reaction Gene had when he was first pressured into jumping off a tree: "What was I doing up here anyway? Why did I let Finny talk me into stupid things like this? Was he getting some kind of hold over me?(p.17)" Finny also saved Gene's life, showing support and a core friendship trust. Although Gene was merely recounting a social experience, the quote foreshadows the relationship between Finny and Gene. Gene always has to live in the possible scrutiny of making a mistake by trusting Finny but also enjoys the relationship they have already developed.

Have you ever had a relationship when a simple experience or quote meant much more then what it was in its context? How did it effect your judgement of the person in the relationship?