The Bean Trees Summary
Description
Here you will find a The Bean Trees summary (Barbara Kingsolver's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters The Bean Trees Summary Overview
In rural Kentucky, a young woman named Taylor Greer remembers a childhood event that left her terrified of tires. She recalls a friend, Newt Hardbine, who met a tragic end while they were still in school. Despite their matching backgrounds, Taylor manages to escape her small hometown life by working at a hospital, saving money, and buying an old Volkswagen. Five years after finishing high school, she bids farewell to her mother and leaves her small town. She starts her new adventure with a vow to rename herself based on where her car stops running. Her journey leads her to Taylorville, where her car breaks down and she adopts her new name. Unexpectedly, she is given a baby by a woman claiming to be the infant's aunt, who leaves without further explanation. In shock, Taylor decides to keep the baby girl, whom she names Turtle due to her clingy nature. The duo eventually ends up in Tucson, Arizona after a series of car troubles. In Tucson, Taylor's life intersects with Lou Ann Ruiz, another Kentuckian, abandoned by her husband and caring for her newborn son. After a brief stint at a new job, Taylor finds herself without stable work and ends up renting a room from Lou Ann. The two women form a fast friendship and Taylor starts working for a kind woman named Mattie, who runs a tire shop. Through Mattie, Taylor and Turtle meet a pair of undocumented immigrants from Guatemala, Estevan and Esperanza. Over time, Taylor finds out about the couple's tragic past and how they had to leave their own child behind to save many others. As the story progresses, Taylor finds herself falling for Estevan while dealing with the harsh reality that Turtle is actually three years old, her growth stunted due to past abuse. A police investigation reveals that Taylor has no legal claim over Turtle, further complicating their situation. Amidst these challenges, Taylor embarks on a trip to Oklahoma to help Estevan and Esperanza find a new sanctuary, while also seeking Turtle's relatives for possible legal adoption. Once in Oklahoma, Taylor hatches a plan for Estevan and Esperanza to pose as Turtle's biological parents. After a dramatic encounter with an Oklahoma legal authority, they bid farewell to each other. Taylor and Turtle then return to Tucson, the place they now consider home.
chapter 1
The story begins with the narrator, originally known as Missy from Pittman County, Kentucky, who later changes her name to Taylor. She describes a longstanding poverty-stricken life, similar to that of Newt Hardbine's, a fellow townsman who looks a lot like her. Recalling an accident that left Newt's father deaf, and the unexpected paths their lives took, Taylor discusses their struggle to survive. Taylor and Newt's lives diverge as she continues with high school while he drops out to work on his father's farm and eventually marries a pregnant girl. Despite the norm of teenage pregnancies in their community, Taylor resolves to avoid this fate. A turning point comes when her attractive science teacher informs his students about a job opportunity at the local hospital. Encouraged by her mother, Taylor successfully lands the job. A horrific incident at the hospital marks a significant event in Taylor's life. Newt and his wife, Jolene, are rushed into the ER. Jolene is injured, and Newt is dead, apparently due to years of abuse and neglect by his father. The gruesome sight propels Taylor to vomit, but she gains a newfound determination to continue with her job. Saving money from her job, Taylor purchases an old car and commences a journey to escape the confines of Pittman. She decides to adopt a new name from wherever her car runs out of fuel. Her journey leads her to Taylorville, thus claiming the name 'Taylor.' Ignoring her initial promise to settle wherever her car breaks down, she continues west, unimpressed by the flatness of Oklahoma. Despite claiming Cherokee lineage, Taylor finds the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma unimpressive. A stop at a bar results in an unexpected turn of events - a stranger entrusts her with a baby, claiming it to be her deceased sister's. Fearful, the stranger instructs Taylor not to return to the bar. Taylor embarks on the road again, uncertain of the baby's wellbeing. A pitstop at a motel reveals the harsh reality - the baby girl has been physically and sexually abused. Overwhelmed, Taylor nearly succumbs to her nausea but eventually manages to write a postcard to her mother, announcing, “I found my head rights, Mama. They’re coming with me.”
chapter 2
The story now centers around Lou Ann Ruiz, a pregnant woman from Kentucky, residing in Tucson, Arizona. Her husband, Angel, has recently left her. Angel, who had lost his leg in a car accident three years prior, believed Lou Ann found his disability repulsive and accused her of wanting to be with other men. Lou Ann suspects Angel no longer likes her or anyone else. The day Angel leaves is Halloween. During a doctor's appointment, Lou Ann wishes her baby will not share his birthday with Christmas - the day Angel lost his leg and she also doesn't want her baby's special day to coincide with a holiday. After her doctor advises her to lose weight, she takes a bus home, appreciating her newfound personal space. Her journey home includes a stopover at Lee Sing Market for diet food. Lee Sing, the owner, predicts Lou Ann will have a baby girl and shares a somewhat offensive saying regarding the same. Upset, Lou Ann remembers that she and her brother both left their home in Kentucky. Returning home, Lou Ann realizes Angel has really left. She takes note of what he took and what he left, believing his choices are telling. He took items like beer mugs, a photo of himself, and the TV, but left behind kitchenware and bedding. She is momentarily scared by trick-or-treaters at her door before realizing it's Halloween. After a hard day, she cries herself to sleep, her feet too swollen to remove her shoes.
chapter 3
Taylor assists Mrs. Hoge at an Oklahoma hotel over the Christmas period, earning some money. She gives the name Turtle to the baby with the strong grip. Come New Year’s Day, Taylor and Turtle hit the road, eventually arriving in Arizona. Struck by its surreal landscape, Taylor decides to settle there. A hail storm leads her to Tucson, where she's informed of her two flat tires. She stumbles upon Jesus Is Lord Used Tires and meets its kindhearted owner, Mattie. Unable to afford new tires, Taylor is cheered up by Mattie's hospitality, offering coffee and snacks. Mattie's lack of modesty, particularly her sexually explicit rabbit mug, puzzles Taylor, given that Mattie runs a Christian tire shop. Mattie reveals it was her late, fervently Christian husband who established the shop. A priest with an Indian family in his car pays a brief, nervous visit. Taylor admires Mattie, a woman who comprehends cars and manages her own store, aware that such a woman would be disdained in her own hometown. They visit Mattie's extraordinary garden, a vibrant mix of flora, vegetables, and car parts. Mattie shares a story about her purple beans, given by her Chinese neighbor, who claims the seeds originated from China in 1907. Taylor finds Tucson foreign and advanced compared to Kentucky. She and Turtle take up residence in the budget Hotel Republic. She explores a modern art museum, enquires about a job at a hospital and is rejected, and befriends a Burger Derby employee named Sandi, who's thrilled that Taylor hails from the home of the Kentucky Derby.
chapter 4
Lou Ann's mother, Ivy, and her grandmother, Granny Logan, travel from Kentucky to see Lou Ann and her new son, Dwayne Ray. Angel, Lou Ann's partner, pretends to be living with them temporarily to present an image of a happy family. Granny Logan insists on keeping the curtains closed, believing the unusual heat in January could harm the baby. In a conversation with her mother, Lou Ann learns that her parents actually lived with Granny Logan, not the other way around. Granny Logan voices her dislike for Tucson's heat and accuses Lou Ann of being pretentious. She gives Lou Ann a Coke bottle filled with murky water from the Tug Fork River, where Lou Ann was baptized, and instructs her to use it to baptize Dwayne Ray. After they leave for Kentucky, Lou Ann envisions accompanying them, stuck on a bus between the bickering pair. Returning from sending them off, she buys tomatoes from a man named Bobby Bingo and unexpectedly confides in him about Angel's departure. She finds it strange that she shared this secret with a stranger, after having pretended to be happily married in front of her family. Back home, while nursing Dwayne Ray, she tries to recollect her baptism. Angel returns home, reeking of beer, picking up a few belongings. He spots the Tug Fork water bottle, and upon learning its purpose, he empties it down the drain.
chapter 5
Taylor lands a job at Burger Derby alongside Sandi. They manage their children through the mall's complimentary babysitting service, pretending to be shopping while actually working. However, Taylor's tenure at Burger Derby is short-lived due to a dispute with her boss, leading to her dismissal. Concerned about her finances, Taylor starts a search for affordable housing and responds to two ads. The first ad leads her to a house inhabited by three alternative-lifestyle hippies: Fei, La-Isha, and Timothy. After hearing about Turtle's hot dog diet, La-Isha warns Taylor about the health risks, while Fei reveals the house is a soy-milk collective with a mandatory seven-hour weekly curd-straining duty. The second ad brings Taylor to Lou Ann’s place. The women instantly connect, bonding over their shared Kentucky roots, their children, and a shared amusement over the soy-milk collective. Taylor confides in Lou Ann about Turtle's history, and Lou Ann introduces her son, Dwayne Ray. On requesting to move in, Lou Ann enthusiastically agrees, having been worried that Taylor and Turtle were too sophisticated for her and Dwayne Ray's simple lifestyle. Taylor assures Lou Ann they are not superior and self-deprecatingly describes herself as, “just a plain hillbilly from East Jesus Nowhere with this adopted child that everybody keeps on telling me is dumb as a box of rocks.” Lou Ann, reassured by Taylor's words, beams with happiness, realizing they share a similar way of speaking.
chapter 6
Valentine’s Day brings the first frost to Tucson, freezing Mattie’s beans. Despite a tire-related trauma from her past, Taylor agrees to work at Mattie’s tire shop after some persuasion. Mattie gives her two free car tires as part of their agreement. She also assuages Taylor's fear of tire explosions, explaining how the severity of an explosion depends on the size of the tire. While Taylor works, Lou Ann looks after Turtle and Dwayne Ray. Taylor finds out that many Spanish-speaking people reside with Mattie, whose house she compares to a human sanctuary. Feeling grumpy, Taylor dislikes how she and Lou Ann are resembling an old married couple, with her working and Lou Ann caring for the children. Taylor asks Lou Ann to stop doing her favors during a drinking session. As they continue drinking and chatting, a tipsy Lou Ann shares her fear of acting embarrassingly while intoxicated, mentioning a forgotten meteor shower viewing night with Angel that she fears may have led to their separation. Taylor suggests that Angel might have been playing a prank, an idea Lou Ann hadn't considered. Taylor shares her views on relationships, using an analogy from a toilet part's installation guide: "Parts are included for all installations, but no installation requires all of the parts." She believes no man can fully accommodate her complex personality. Their conversation leads to lots of laughter. Lou Ann remarks how Angel would never stay up late just to talk, unlike their current situation.
chapter 7
In spring, Mattie, Lou Ann, Dwayne Ray, Taylor, Turtle and Mattie's friends from Guatemala, Esperanza and Estevan, have a picnic by a creek. Estevan's fluent English skills impress the group, and Esperanza seems fixated on Turtle. Estevan clarifies that Turtle reminds Esperanza of a child they know back home. Taylor and Estevan enjoy a chilly swim in the creek, and on their drive back, they brake suddenly to avoid hitting a quail family. Taylor is emotional at the sight, while Lou Ann muses that her ex-husband Angel would have aimed to hit the birds. Turtle responds to the abrupt stop by laughing, her first sound. Taylor, relieved, feels vindicated in her parenting. Later, planting a garden with Mattie, Turtle utters her first word: "bean." Lou Ann confides in Taylor her fears about her morbid thoughts becoming reality. She shares experiences of her high school days when she used to stand on a cliff, contemplating jumping. Taylor empathizes, comforting Lou Ann that she isn't alone in such thoughts. In the evening, two elderly neighbours, Edna Poppy and Mrs. Virgie Parsons, join them for dinner and to watch Mattie's TV appearance, along with Esperanza and Estevan. Mattie discusses human rights, asylum, and the dangers faced by immigrants forced to return to their homeland. The group, including Taylor, struggle to understand her complex topics. Mrs. Parsons wrongly assumes Turtle to be Esperanza and Estevan's daughter and makes a derogatory comment about her. Estevan, who works as a dish washer, uses chopsticks for dinner, causing Mrs. Parsons to express her disdain. She suggests immigrants should remain in their own countries rather than take American jobs. Turtle, struggling to use chopsticks, is cheered up by Estevan's story. He narrates a tale about people in hell unable to eat due to long-handled spoons, while in heaven, they use the same spoons to feed each other. Estevan illustrates this by feeding Turtle a pineapple piece.
chapter 8
In the park, known as Dog Doo Park by local youngsters, Taylor and Lou Ann spend time with Turtle and Dwayne Ray. Taylor is upset upon learning her mom intends to wed Harland Elleston, a paint and body store worker. Lou Ann insists Taylor should be glad her mom is lively enough to remarry, even accusing Taylor of disliking men. Taylor silently disagrees, her thoughts drifting to Estevan. Lou Ann nostalgically recounts her initial fascination with Angel. They observe the previously dead-looking wisteria vines in the park now blossoming vividly, something Taylor likens to a biblical tale of water erupting from a rock. Meanwhile, Turtle plays in the dirt, saying vegetable names. Edna Poppy and Mrs. Parsons stroll past. Taylor teases Edna about her all-red ensemble. Mrs. Parsons lets slip that Angel visited Lou Ann's house while she wasn't home. In response to Taylor's query, Lou Ann admits she would allow Angel to return if he wished. On another day, Taylor attempts to apologize to Estevan for Mrs. Parson's immigrant-related remarks. He compares her to many Americans who believe misfortune is deserved. The pair exchange praise for each other’s dialect: Taylor admires Estevan’s flawless English, and he finds her Kentucky accent and phrases charming. Gradually, Taylor grasps Mattie's sanctuary metaphor for her shop, filled with people seeking a haven from their troubles. Mattie often disappears for several days on 'birdwatching' trips—essentially searching for people needing protection. Taylor chooses to get Turtle a medical check-up due to her past abuse. When the nurse wrongly assumes Taylor is Turtle's foster mom, Taylor doesn’t correct her. Dr. Pelinowsky determines Turtle's growth stunted from abuse, a condition known as 'failure to thrive.' He presents x-rays of Turtle’s fractures, adding that contrary to his initial estimation of Turtle being two, the x-rays suggest she is actually three. Taylor disputes this, citing recent growth in Turtle. To this, he assures her that 'failure to thrive' can be reversed. As he speaks, Taylor gazes out of the window at a bird nesting in a cactus. Following the medical visit, Taylor and Turtle rendezvous with Lou Ann at the zoo. Taylor finds out Angel returned to inform Lou Ann he's permanently leaving to join a Colorado-Montana rodeo. Lou Ann accuses Taylor of siding with Angel. Taylor clarifies that any current criticism of Angel may lead to Lou Ann resenting her if Angel comes back. During their exchange, Taylor mentions 'April.' On hearing this, Turtle reacts, leading the women to deduce that April is Turtle's real name.
chapter 9
Esperanza, in a bout of despair, swallows a ton of aspirin in a suicide attempt. Estevan informs Taylor about this while Mattie rushes Esperanza to a clinic. Taylor and Estevan spend time together in her home during this crisis. She realizes that during such situations, she has a propensity to "fall back on good solid female traditions." She offers Estevan the choice of either being fed or spoken to, to which he chooses the latter. As they converse, Taylor feels an intense attraction towards Estevan. She shares a story about Scotty Richey, a high school mate who killed himself on his sixteenth birthday. She talks about the social hierarchies in high school and how Scotty always felt like an outcast. This makes her feel frustrated with Esperanza, who despite having people who cared for her, attempted to take her own life. Estevan opens up about the torturous practices used in Guatemala, particularly of using telephones to shock sensitive areas. He implies that Taylor is choosing to ignore such atrocities, which she refutes, stating she is not in favor of such policies and often feels alienated in Tucson. Estevan then reveals that he and Esperanza had a daughter, Ismene, who was kidnapped during a raid because of their affiliation with the teacher's union. They had to choose between providing the names of their fellow union members or getting their daughter back. They chose the former and escaped to the U.S., leaving their daughter behind. The revelation leaves Taylor in tears. Later, Turtle wakes up and joins them. Taylor visualizes a picture-perfect family with herself, Turtle, Estevan, and the cat, reminiscent of a set of paper dolls she owned as a child. Once Turtle goes to bed, Taylor and Estevan end up sharing the couch for their sleep. They find themselves snuggled up in their sleep, but Taylor, understanding Esperanza's pain, chooses to move to her own bed after giving Estevan's hand a gentle kiss.
chapter 10
Following Esperanza's suicide attempt, Taylor finds herself feeling hopeful. She and Lou Ann have a conversation about bird calls, marking the transformation of their living space into a family home instead of Angel's deserted place. Lou Ann returns from a meeting with Angel's family, the Ruizes. What she shares fills her with joy; despite Angel's absence, they still regard her as part of their clan, viewing Angel as the unkind one. Together, Lou Ann and Taylor take their children to Roosevelt Park, where they rest beneath a wisteria arbor. Turtle, looking at the vines, utters "bean trees" causing Taylor to realize that the wisteria's flowers have evolved into bean-like green pods. Post-park visit, Taylor encounters Edna Poppy in Lee Sing's grocery store. When Edna, holding a white cane, inquires whether she's holding lemons or limes, Taylor is startled to acknowledge that Edna is blind. Various unusual things now make sense to her, such as Edna always wearing red for ease of dressing, Virgie Parsons announcing everyone's name to enlighten Edna about their presence, and Edna's habit of looking over people's heads while talking as she can only direct her gaze towards voices. Taylor visits Esperanza, who's staying with Mattie. Throughout the visit, Esperanza remains silent while Taylor keeps the conversation going, trying to find comforting words. She expresses her sympathy for Esperanza's lost child and encourages her to never abandon hope. By the end of the chat, Esperanza starts to weep, which Taylor perceives as better than the vacant expression in Esperanza's eyes earlier. Taylor encounters Lou Ann on her way back home, who's been job hunting. Lou Ann shares her unpleasant experience of a job interview at a convenience store where the interviewer objectified her. Passing by Fanny Heaven, a strip joint, Lou Ann vents her repulsion towards it, particularly the distasteful door handle. Taylor advises her to face it rather than avoid it and "talk back to it."
chapter 11
Lou Ann secures employment at the Red Hot Mama's salsa factory, taking great pride in her work irrespective of the sweatshop-like conditions. She starts appreciating her body and brings home various salsa selections and recipes. Her work schedule is in the evening, which means Taylor takes responsibility for putting the kids to bed. Once Lou Ann comes home, they both share a late meal. During one such dinner, they discuss Lou Ann's worrisome nature. She recounts a dream she had post-Dwayne Ray's birth where an angel prophesized that he wouldn't survive past the year 2000. She believes this prediction is corroborated by their horoscopes which has amplified her pre-existing fear of death since childhood. Despite recognizing her irrational fear, Taylor reassures her that her concern makes her a caring mother. Angel sends a package containing a hair clip for Lou Ann and boots for Dwayne Ray along with a letter expressing his desire for them to live with him. This leaves Lou Ann in a dilemma as she juggles the flattery of being missed, her newfound managerial role at the factory, and Angel's invitation. Taylor is apprehensive that Lou Ann might accept Angel's offer. The potential departure of Lou Ann, coupled with Esperanza and Estevan's precarious situation, distresses Taylor. Mattie fears Esperanza and Estevan may face deportation and execution in Guatemala. Staying in the U.S. requires proof of their lives being endangered in Central America, which they lack.
chapter 12
The desert plain with its bumps and crevices appeared like a fortune teller's palm to be deciphered. In mid-July, a hush falls over the desert as the cicadas pause and Taylor and Mattie detect a rumble of thunder. Mattie halts her work, leading Taylor, Esperanza, and Estevan into the desert to experience the scent of the inaugural rain. She shares how the indigenous tribes treasured the first summer shower, marking it as their New Year’s Day. As the group reaches a hilltop, a brief spell of rain showers them before the storm recedes. Returning to their vehicle, they spot a rattlesnake winding up a tree, likely hunting for bird eggs. At home, Taylor senses something is amiss from Lou Ann’s troubled expression. Lou Ann reveals that Turtle experienced a horrific event. While under the watch of Edna Poppy in the park, a man assaulted Turtle. Edna’s blindness prevented her from fully understanding the situation, but she fought back upon hearing the struggle. Turtle's vacant expression reminds Taylor of the day she discovered her in Oklahoma. The police and a social worker soon arrive. Taylor retreats to assist Mrs. Parsons with a sparrow that had flown into their home. The bird flies into the window and collapses, and they presume it dead, but it recovers and they release it “into the terrible night.” The doctor's examination reveals bruises on Turtle’s shoulder but no signs of abuse. Lou Ann, enraged with Taylor for her focus on the bird rather than Turtle, is determined to care for Turtle and locate the attacker. Taylor plunges into a dark despair, barely eating and immersing herself in work after the traumatic incident.
chapter 13
Taylor and Turtle frequently interact with Cynthia, a social worker who irks Taylor with her formal demeanor. Discovering Turtle's history, Cynthia reveals that Taylor lacks legal rights over Turtle, making her a ward of the state. This information unsettles Lou Ann who encourages Taylor to defy the law, causing Taylor to sink into despair and consider abandoning efforts to maintain custody of Turtle. Lou Ann regrets the shift in Taylor's previously resilient attitude. Mattie hasn't managed to facilitate the escape of Esperanza and Estevan to another haven. She reminisces about her initial encounter with Taylor, admitting she saw through Taylor’s initial display of self-assuredness. Mattie advises Taylor that perfection isn't expected in parenting, with the most important question being whether she wants to do right by Turtle. Taylor arranges a meeting with Cynthia to discuss Turtle's custody, questioning if the laws differ on Native American reservations and how she could ascertain differences in other states' laws. Through their conversation, Taylor discerns that Cynthia supports her, providing her with a contact in Oklahoma for legal counsel. After a night of wakefulness, Taylor resolves to drive to Oklahoma, aiming to provide sanctuary for Esperanza and Estevan and search for Turtle’s kin. Lou Ann expresses concern about potential claims from Turtle's relatives or the possibility of not locating them, overlooking the major risk of Taylor getting apprehended for transporting illegal immigrants. Unlike Lou Ann, Mattie understands the imminent danger. On the eve of Taylor's departure, Virgie Parsons invites them to witness the blooming of the cereus, a plant that blossoms just once a year during the night. The flower's aroma and beauty are seen as a positive sign. Setting off from Mattie's place, Taylor, Turtle, Esperanza, and Estevan hit the road. Mattie, while nervous, expresses admiration for Taylor's bravery, reminiscing how Alice, Taylor's mother, used to look at her. En route, they spot a deceased blackbird. Despite initial instinct to brake, Taylor realizes stopping for a dead bird serves no purpose.
chapter 14
Taylor, Esperanza, Estevan, and Turtle are journeying east to Oklahoma and encounter an Immigration check. Taylor's anxiety triggers a hesitation when asked about Turtle’s parents, leading Estevan to declare that Turtle is theirs. Despite agreeing with the strategy, Taylor is upset, especially when Turtle starts calling Esperanza "Ma." Estevan clarifies their Mayan heritage and their real Native American names. Taylor is impressed by their multilingual abilities. She remembers Esperanza revealing her St. Christopher medallion, the patron saint of refugees, and thinks about Stephen Foster’s resemblance to the saint. To entertain Turtle during the trip, Esperanza sings to her as Taylor and Estevan converse. Upon reaching Oklahoma, they stop at the Broken Arrow Motor Lodge. The owner, Mrs. Hoge, has passed away. While Taylor proposes to drop off Estevan and Esperanza at their new place, they decide to stay back to help find Turtle’s family. Taylor is distressed when she hears Esperanza call Turtle by another name, Ismene, and misses her friend Lou Ann. The search for Turtle's family leads them to a bar where a Native American woman had entrusted Turtle to Taylor earlier. However, the ownership has changed and the current owners have no information about Turtle’s kin. The waitress at the bar informs Taylor about the Cherokee nation's presence in the Ozark Mountains. This revelation prompts Taylor to feel guilty for her wrong assumptions about the Cherokee Nation. Unable to find Turtle's family, Taylor suggests a vacation to the Lake o’ the Cherokees in the Ozarks, to which Estevan and Esperanza agree.
chapter 15
The group journeys to a lake within the Cherokee Nation. Taylor, the only Caucasian, feels out of place. She observes Estevan and Esperanza loosen up, relishing in an environment where everyone resembles them. Taylor is pleasantly surprised by the thriving, hilly landscape of the Cherokee Nation, contradicting her preconceived notion of desolation. On route, Turtle's shout of "Mama" while staring at a gas station and cemetery, leaves Taylor apprehensive. Upon reaching the lake, they find a cottage for the night. The afternoon is spent by a stream where Estevan presents Taylor and Esperanza with flowers. Taylor detects a change in Esperanza, a sense of contentment. Later, Estevan and Taylor, rent a boat for a lake excursion. Overwhelmed by the thought of Estevan leaving, Taylor tearfully confesses she'll miss him. Estevan proposes making a wish, using beer pop-tops as substitutes for coins. Taylor makes two wishes, one seemingly unattainable—her desire to keep both Estevan and Turtle. Afterwards, the group enjoys a picnic. Turtle buries her doll under a tree, prompting Taylor to gently explain the difference between seeds and dolls. When Turtle refers to the mound of earth as "Mama", Taylor comprehends she's emulating her biological mother's burial. Taylor reassures Turtle of her everlasting love, and her intent to keep her forever. Towards the end, Taylor requests a favor from Esperanza and Estevan, to which they agree.
chapter 16
Under the aliases Steve and Hope, Estevan and Esperanza visit Mr. Jonas Wilford Armistead's office with Taylor and Turtle, pretending to be Turtle's biological parents with Taylor as the adoptive mother. Mr. Armistead, none the wiser, elaborates on the adoption's permanence, compelling Estevan and Esperanza to affirm they can relinquish their child. Esperanza, moved to tears, claims they love their daughter yet are unable to provide for her. She foresees the possibility of having more children in a future home. As Taylor watches Esperanza with Turtle, she acknowledges she couldn't refuse Esperanza if she wanted to keep Turtle. Nevertheless, Esperanza hands over her St. Christopher medallion to Turtle, assuring Taylor of Turtle's future happiness. Agreeing to the custody change, Estevan and Esperanza sign a document attesting to their mental soundness and free will. Subsequently, Esperanza appears genuinely joyful.
chapter 17
Taylor escorts Estevan and Esperanza to a church for refuge, bidding farewell to Estevan. She confides that this is her first time letting go of a loved one. Estevan informs her that any messages can only be passed through Mattie. They share a goodbye kiss and Taylor reflects on the losses they've all experienced in Oklahoma. After parting, Taylor rings her mother and shares her heartbreak. Alice, in turn, tells Taylor about her decision to quit housecleaning and hears about Turtle's formal adoption. Taylor and Turtle share a heartfelt talk where Taylor assures Turtle that she's her only mother now, introducing her as April Turtle Greer. On a spontaneous decision, Taylor dials 1-800-THE-LORD, a number she had thought to call in desperate times, similar to her mother's fallback plan of utilizing their Cherokee Nation rights. The number turns out to be a donation line, which amuses Taylor. Subsequently, they visit a library, where Turtle identifies wisteria as bean trees in a horticulture book. Taylor explains how microbes aid the plant's growth, drawing a parallel between this and the support people offer each other. Taylor collects Turtle's adoption papers from the courthouse and checks in on Lou Ann, who confirms she isn't returning to Angel and mentions her new relationship. Lou Ann affirms her established familial bond with Taylor and Turtle and is relieved to hear about Turtle's adoption. Taylor and Turtle eventually leave Oklahoma City and start their journey back to Tucson. On the way, Turtle sings a song including the names of her friends and family, with Taylor as "the main ingredient".
