question: He lifted the paddle and brought it down quickly again just below the last area the paddle landed . He felt it as Sam went limp over his lap and openly sobbed . John raised the paddle and brought it down two more times before flinging it across the room . He rubbed his palm on Sam 's back as his youngest tried to pull himself together . " Shh , it 's okay . , I ' ve got ya .
Q: Why is John reaching out to Sam ?

answer: To console him .

question: I might be missing some . Will update later once I look . Now I am a sickling . I need to see somebody about my stomach issues . My legs feel like jelly ( still ! ) so I think I might go sit in the bathtub for a little bit before The Amazing Race in an hour , and then after I ' m going to the beach for a bonfire .
Q: When will the bonfire on the beach likely to be ?

answer: It will be after the Amazing Race , and it will likely be during the night time .

question: the economy is beyond fucked , nobody has the time of day for unions . some , not even time for their kids . at least i ' m trying.weekends are reduced to bars in the city or long , drawn out acid trips in cornwall . trying to put some meaning into your life on the weekends is pretty pointless .
Q: Why is the narrator so downcast ?

answer:
They are upset by the economy .