CHAPTER 16

Summary

Taylor, Turtle, Estevan and Esperanza go to the office of a notary public in Oklahoma. (Taylor had gotten his name from Cynthia the social worker.) They have a completely fabricated conversation about who they are and what their plans are. They explain to the notary that Estevan and Esperanza (posing as Steven and Hope Two Two) are giving their child to Taylor. Sobbing, Esperanza explains that she and her husband move around and have no home; therefore they cannot take care of a child right now. She goes on crying harder, feeling that someday they may have more children when things are not so hard. It is clear Esperanza is in deep pain over giving up a child. Estevan tells Turtle to be good and strong, like her mother. Taylor is unsure which mother he means. Esperanza rocks with Turtle and continues to cry. It is easy to believe Esperanza and Turtle are really mother and child, about to be separated. Even Taylor feels as though she canÂ’t take Turtle from Esperanza.

The official papers are drawn up and everyone shakes hands. Taylor arranges the rest of the adoption details with the notary. Estevan and Esperanza appear changed, relieved. They leave the office "a strange new combination of friends and family." Taylor is now the sole guardian and parent of Turtle, with the papers to prove it.

Notes

Though brief, this chapter is the powerful climax in the relationship between Taylor and Turtle. Throughout the novel Taylor has experienced confusion and second thoughts regarding TurtleÂ’s "rightful ownership". Having finally decided to share her life with the child, Taylor resorts to fraudulent measures in order to secure adoption papers that will allow her to keep Turtle as her own. In the process, however, Taylor comes close to actually losing Turtle because of the relationship that has developed between Turtle and Esperanza. Knowing EsperanzaÂ’s despair after having had to give up Ismene, Taylor feels willing to let Esperanza keep Turtle. As it turns out, the scene in the notaryÂ’s office is a catharsis for Esperanza that allows her to come to terms with her pain and start anew. In this way the chapter is also a climax in the lives of Estevan and Esperanza allowing them to turn a corner into their own future.

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