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“You shouldn’t donate to charity, help the elderly cross the street, or rescue puppies in the hopes you’ll be repaid later. I may not be able to cure cancer or end world hunger, but small kindnesses go a long way.”
Early in the novel, Mateo shares this sentiment with Rufus when they give money to a homeless man. Mateo’s actions throughout the novel reveal his philosophy about helping others regardless of reciprocation or acknowledgment is genuine, not simply lip service. He reads the blogs on Count-Downers so that Deckers will have their End Day stories heard by someone and gives the shoes off his feet to a total stranger simply because he believes in the power of kindness. Mateo’s kindness toward Rufus is significant in allowing Rufus to make peace with his grief and embrace new love. Ironically, though Mateo insists his kindness does not merit reciprocity, his past kind acts do provide him with a karmic reward. It’s this thoughtfulness for others that winds up saving Mateo from Kendrick. Most importantly, Mateo’s philosophy of kindness allows his connection with Rufus to grow into love.
