Question P

[Jonetta]

There are many maternal contrasts in this story. Were there any common themes? Uncommon?

[Sharon]

The book highlights the good and the bad. I guess there is a case if nature vs nurture.

Ellie has a good mother that she didn't appreciate, because she was trying to grow up too fast. It was the typical mother/teen conflict that many families need to work through. Ellie thought Roxanne is the perfect mother until Kai.

Ian and Kim had terrible mother's but their foster families gave them the foundation they needed to change their life and make good decisions about their future.

Lauren had one of the worst mother's. Maggie made a deal with Kai that not only put her daughter turned her daughter into a prostitute at a young age, but also put her with a murderer.

[Jonetta]

In addition to those you illustrate Sharon, there was also Donna who had great parents but it all unraveled when her father died. She and Ellie had the misfortune of being swept up by Roxanne.

Kelly Lowe was a great mother, and she was raised by a single mother, too. Her pride prevented her from asking her for help but she also had the misfortune of being in Roxanne’s orbit.

Ian had the great fortune of being out into the care system, even though he might have thought he drew the short straw in that moment.

In all but Maggie’s case, these girls and women were raised by good women who were struggling on their own. Their daughters just happened to be caught in vulnerable situations, which evil seems to be able to sense and take advantage.

[Sharon]

Very true Jonetta. It is tough to be a single parent, but most do a good job.

[Jonetta]

I agree, Sharon.