I can't do nothing for you either, Billy. You know that. None of us can. You got to understand that as soon as a man goes to help somebody, he leaves himself wide open. He has to be cagey, Billy, you should know that as well as anyone. What could I do? I can't fix your stuttering. I can't wipe the razorblade scars off your wrists or the cigarette burns off the back of your hands. I can't give you a new mother. And as far as the nurse riding you like this, rubbing your nose in your weakness till what little dignity you got left is gone and you shrink up to nothing from humiliation, I can't do anything about that, either.
The speaker, addressing Billy, expresses a profound sense of helplessness regarding his struggles and pain. They acknowledge that the act of trying to help someone inherently puts oneself at risk, emphasizing that once a person tries to assist, they expose themselves to vulnerability. There's a clear understanding that Billy's plight, including his stutter, scars, and difficult relationship with authority, is beyond their capability to remedy.
This realization is met with a sense of resignation, as the speaker lists all the things they cannot change for Billy, including the humiliation he faces from a nurse. The message underscores that support often is limited and can be fraught with limitations, even if one wishes to help. It highlights the complexity of human relationships and the feelings of inadequacy that can arise when trying to comfort someone in deep distress.
