One for the Murphys

On Mother’s Day, Carley strongly regrets not having a card for Mrs. Murphy. Mrs. Murphy tells her that she must go to visit her mother the next day. Carley is upset; Mrs. Murphy tells her that she doesn’t have to be strong all the time. Carley tries to change the subject, though, and asks about The Giving Tree. She says it makes no sense that the tree just gives and gives of itself without ever expecting a thing in return. Mrs. Murphy tries to tell Carley that the book’s theme is unconditional love, but Carley doesn’t understand until Mrs. Murphy tells her more straightforwardly that the book is “about a mother’s love for her child” (181).

Carley goes to visit her mother. She feels nervous and edgy. At first her mother calls her by her pet name, “Carley Cake,” and tries to reminisce about Carley’s first day of kindergarten and her outspokenness with the teacher. Carley, however, feels that nothing is right; she senses that the trauma of abuse has left them both damaged and floundering. She tells her mother to stop calling her by the pet name. Her mother insists she can do whatever she wants, as Carley is her child. The conversation then deteriorates quickly. Carley tells her mother that she now knows what she was missing in not having the care of a family. Her mother derides her for being emotional, and Carley asks why her mother held onto her so that Dennis could hurt her. Her mother attempts to explain that she was thinking about being a loyal wife, and Carley, incensed, interrupts: “That’s the best you can come up with?” (186). Her mother tries to regain control, but Carley tells her that Mrs. Murphy is a better mother. As Carley runs away, her mother tells her that the Murphys can take her.

Carley asks Mr. Murphy if he ever had to leave victims behind in a fire, and he tells her he has: four people. He explains that he knows he must keep himself safe to save others. Toni comes over, and Mr. Murphy reveals that he purchased a pink Yankees hat for her and an Irish-themed Boston hat for Carley.

Mrs. MacAvoy takes Carley back to the rehab hospital to visit her mother again. This time her mother is more distant and quickly reveals that she thinks Carley “belong[s] with these Murphys” (192) and that she is prepared “to sign the papers” (193) to release Carley. She offers excuses, pointing out that raising children is difficult and that she has a life in Vegas. Carley is shocked and panicky; she tries to remind her mother of a fun memory—but to no avail. When she realizes that her mother is serious, she runs away and demands that Mrs. MacAvoy take her back to the house. There, she tells Mrs. MacAvoy and Mrs. Murphy that her mother wants to sign her away for good, but they insist that this makes no sense; Mrs. MacAvoy explains that in fact her mother tried to prevent Dennis from hurting her that night. Carley then recalls how her mother changed her mind after realizing that Dennis might really hurt Carley; she hit him with a vase and withstood the worst of his wrath. Mrs. Murphy tells Carley that a “real mother” is one who puts her own life in danger to save that of her child.

Mrs. Murphy sits with Carley on the porch the night before Carley returns to see her mother. Mrs. Murphy reminds Carley that she can have whatever life she wants in the world: She can go to college, marry, have children. Carley thinks that her mother will never support her going to college, but Mrs. Murphy says that no one can stop Carley from attending college; there are scholarships and other ways to make it work on her own. Carley doubts that she can have the kind of life that the Murphys have. She musters the courage to tell Mrs. Murphy that she wants to stay and be one of the Murphys. Mrs. Murphy says that it isn’t up to her and that they will all miss her very much. She then reveals that she (not a “friend,” as she indicated earlier) was once in foster care herself and that her experiences prompted her goals to have and raise a family. Carley is shocked and tells Mrs. Murphy that she should have revealed this from the start, but Mrs. Murphy tells her, “I wanted your stay here to be about you—not me” (200). Finally convinced, Carley stands and tells Mrs. Murphy that she intends to have a “happy life” (200).

At the rehab hospital, Carley and her mother reconcile. When her mother explains that she thought Carley would be better off without her, Carley tells her, “But you’re my mom!” (202). Her mother tells her that they’ll return to Las Vegas. Carley knows that home should be wherever her mother is but feels sad at the thought of leaving Toni, Connecticut, and especially the Murphys. After the visit, Mrs. Murphy tries to tell Carley that she’s happy for her and her mother, but Carley can tell that she’s “forcing it” (203). Carley wishes that there were two of her to share: one with her mother and a life in Las Vegas, the other with the Murphys and their life in Connecticut.

Carley goes to Mrs. Murphy’s room while she’s watching Jay Leno, after the boys are asleep and while Mr. Murphy is at work. She has so many thoughts and emotions about leaving; she feels that no one will take care of her the way Mrs. Murphy did. Mrs. Murphy welcomes her in and turns off the TV. She can see that Carley is conflicted with many emotions and convinces her that it will okay now to accept a hug and even cry. Carley is hesitant, but finally allows herself to rest her head on Mrs. Murphy’s shoulder and have a long, healing cry. Carley wakes the next day embarrassed, but Mrs. Murphy tells her not to apologize. When Carley tries to explain that she never usually cries, Mrs. Murphy tells her, “Well, I think sometimes the heart just leads the way” (210). Carley recognizes that she would have derided this kind of comment when she first arrived but now sees the wisdom and value in it.

Mrs. Murphy makes Carley’s favorites—chicken casserole and apple pie—for Carley’s last dinner at the house. She reminds Carley that she was indeed a part of the family and that she will always be a part of Mrs. Murphy’s life. Toni comes for dinner, and they talk and joke. Michael Eric asks in the blessing for God to please “Let them keep Carley here” (214); he says that if God can’t, then maybe Santa can. Later, as they feast on pie, the boys reveal that Carley taught Jimmy Partin a lesson in leaving them alone. Mrs. Murphy says that she’s glad she knew nothing about it. Toni and Carley say goodbye. Toni gives Carley a new Wicked CD and her own favorite jacket. Mrs. Murphy gives Carley the “Be Someone’s Hero” sign. Carley promises to work hard to be a hero to someone someday, but Mrs. Murphy tells her she already is.

Before Carley leaves, Daniel thanks her for helping him and gives her a Celtics basketball. Adam gives her a broken Matchbox car. Michael Eric is sad to not have a gift, but Carley tells him that she has all the memories of playing superheroes with him. Mrs. MacAvoy waits in the car for Carley. Carley hugs Mrs. Murphy, thanks her, and tells her that she has been her hero. Carley starts to leave but returns to hug her and says, “I…love you, Mrs. Murphy.” Mrs. Murphy tells Carley that she loves her too. Michael Eric runs to Carley with a last-second gift, a crayoned picture of Super High Tops Girl. Carley hugs him. Carley heads to the car but turns to see Mrs. Murphy one more time, imprinting the memory of the woman’s strength and love forever.