At first, Denver plays the "tough guy" out on the streets, who is feared by everyone. However, this widespread fear doesn't stop Ron. Ron pursues Denver and appears to be making little headway, when Denver finally opens up to Ron. In one conversation over coffee, Denver responds to Ron's desire for friendship by stating, "If you is fishin for a friend you just gon' catch and release, then I ain't got no desire to be your friend...but if you is lookin for a real friend, then I'll be one. Forever. (Pg. 107)"
The "catch and release" mentality consumes today's culture. People buy clothes, toys, gadgets, and other popular items, only to discard them soon afterwards. Certain desires consume so many until they are fulfilled. People feel that "if I only had the fastest/biggest/smartest....I would be happy." However, they find that after the initial excitement wears off, there is little appeal; they come to want the next new thing. Instead, our culture needs to foster the mentality of "catch and keep." Our fellow citizens must look to focus on loyalty and commitment. If loyalty and commitment are the focus, relationships and the all-around purpose for life significantly improve. Instead of "showing off" a prize (only to discard the item soon afterward), this new focus would cultivate an ultimate "prize" lasting for an entire lifetime. The wisdom in Denver's words are incredible. His statements calls us to remember to treat fellow neighbors/friends/individuals around us with loyalty and commitment, not build a shallow facade of a relationship. The relationships we put the most time and effort into are the most likely to succeed. If you make loyalty and commitment a priority in your relationships, people will want to be your friend and will actually be willing to invest back into you.
Russell Madden describes the importance of loyalty in friendship:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rdmadden/webdocs/Friendship_and_Loyalty.html
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