The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of substance use, racism, and death.

Jackie was unhappy when Rob took a job at Essex County Airport as a baggage handler, pointing out that the job did not even require qualifications. Rob, however, was attracted by the job’s travel benefits, and he used his free flights to look at potential properties. Still, he was unable to find another suitable investment.

The Burger Boyz had high hopes for Rob’s real estate plans. Tavarus lived in a cramped apartment with his son and girlfriend, Darlene. Curtis disliked his marketing job and had no prospect of promotion. Meanwhile, Flowy longed to leave Newark. However, in 2007, Rob’s property investment plans were shattered when the housing bubble burst. He then began using his free flights to travel to other countries. He and Hobbs spoke a couple of times on the phone, but both were not completely honest with one another. Rob talked about his travels without mentioning that he was a baggage handler. Hobbs did not tell Rob that he had failed to sell his second novel to a publisher or that Rebecca had experienced three miscarriages.

Rob’s friends could not understand the way he mistreated his girlfriends.