When Palmer opens the door on his birthday and finds Beans, Mutto and Henry there, he is elated. Why? Who are these boys? What do they represent in Palmer's life?

When Palmer sees the three boys, he feels they are finally including him in their group. This is important to Palmer, as he wants to be "one of the guys." He realizes they are cruel and brutish, but he wants to be tough and part of a gang of boys on his street.