Big Phil

Big Phil is Grady McKay's large friend and briefly serves as his paid bodyguard against Rodney Rathbone. Grady compensates him by doing chores, and at first Phil's size gives Grady the confidence to stand up to a bully. That protection soon becomes a weapon when Grady starts hunting Rodney and enjoying power over him. Hurt by the change, Phil quits and switches sides. He eventually recognizes that neither boy should use him to continue their feud. After Grady offers an apology without demanding anything in return, Phil refuses to beat up anyone again and walks away from Rodney too. His decision ends the arrangement and helps expose the point where self-defense turned into revenge.