Toward the end of the book, Lopez shifts from referring to Nathaniel Ayers as Nathaniel and instead begins referring to him as Mr. Ayers. Throughout the book, while Nathaniel is slowly getting better, there are new problems that arise with each progressive step towards his recovery of his mental illness. Once Lopez has set it up so that Nathaniel's sister will be in charge of his finances, he gives Nathaniel a document to inform him of what is going on. Nathaniel does not see what the paper is about. Instead, he only sees a manipulative act by a trusted friend to try to have him committed. This prompts a furious outburst in which Nathaniel says to Lopez, "And I am not going to have anymore of this Nathaniel...I'm Nathaniel and you're Mr. Lopez, and there is not going to be any more of that" (258).
It is at this point when Lopez starts to call Nathaniel Mr. Ayers. To call him so while in his state of rage, seems to make sense, if that is what will calm him down. The short term change of name makes sense for the time being but when Lopez continues to call Nathaniel "Mr. Ayers" after Nathaniel tells him he doesn't have to, I was confused at first. Nathaniel apologizes for his outburst and says Lopez no longer has to refer to him as Mr. Ayers, but Lopez continues to do so even after the apology.
After finishing the book, I now think that Lopez does it out of respect. Nathaniel is older than him and it is ironic that Nathaniel is the one to call Lopez "Mr." as opposed to Lopez calling Nathaniel "Mr. Ayer." I did find it strange that they do not call each other by first names or last names, but Nathaniel is Nathaniel and Steve is Mr. Lopez. But Lopez changing the way he refers to Nathaniel shows that they are now on the same level. He now respects Nathaniel as much as Nathaniel respected him when they first met.
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