Holt

The McPherons ran Dwayne off to protect their daughter and granddaughter. The last chapter features all the characters interacting like one big family. Victoria is a mother to the baby, and Maggie could be a mother to Victoria. Maggie could also be in the place of Ella and act as a mother to Ike and Bobby. The new baby represents new beginnings. The McPherons have something more than each other.

Ike and Bobby

The boys begin smoking. They flatten coins and their mother's bracelet. They then bury it. This must be symbolic of their mother emotionally flattening and being as good as dead to them.

Labor

Victoria is more calm than the McPherons. after hours of labor, she gives birth to a healthy baby girl. The McPherons joke about how their "womanfolk" have doubled in population, but they are excited. Like parents, grandparents, or fathers, they thank the doctor and send him fresh meat. That is the way the express gratitude of the highest degree.

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Victoria practices nurturing when the boys show up at the McPherons. Mrs. Stearns, a motherly female figure, has died. The are being passed around to different maternal figures.

Victoria admits to the doctor and the McPherons about the substances she has been putting in her body. The baby is going to be fine, but the McPherons do everything in their power to ensure the baby's health.

Intermission

We are beginning to see more emotion from Guthrie as the book progresses.

Beckman hurts Ike and Bobby

Ike and Bobby are teased and tormented by Russ Beckman. It seems as if they are most upset by the fact that the girl did not try hard enough to save them, paralleling her to their mother. I was sickened by Russ' language and worried that something sexually abusive would happen. Guthrie finds out and takes matters into his own hands. He may be a "cold' man, but he stands up for people when he should!

Victoria goes back to the McPherons

She tells them that she is sorry and begins to cry. Like most men, they are uncomfortable with females crying, and they comfort her and tell her that all is going to be fine...just like parents.