her favoritism towards Christine and her dislike for Lee, claiming he is whiny and always needs attention, contradictory to Christine's belief that Ida likes Lee more. Christine and Ida on the roof of their house, awaiting the end of the world as predicted in a chain letter Christine received. Ida does not believe in the letter, but she is willing to humor Christine. The final lines describe Ida pantomiming the action of braiding, symbolizing the intertwining destinies of family. Characters in A Yellow Raft in Blue Water Rayona Diane Taylor – a main protagonist; daughter of Christine and Elgin Christine George Taylor – a main protagonist; mother of Rayona Aunt Ida George – a main protagonist; legal mother of Christine Elgin Taylor – Christine's (separated) husband; Rayona's father Lee George – Christine's brother Dayton Nickles – Lee's friend Father Hurlburt – priest at the reservation mission; Ida's close friend Father Tom Novak – assistant priest at the reservation mission. Pauline George Cree – Ida's sister Dale Cree – Pauline's husband; Foxy's father Polly Cree – Dale's mother Buster Cree – Dale's father Willard Pretty Dog – a reservation man and veteran; biological father of Lee Mrs. Pretty Dog – Willard's mother Kennedy "Foxy" Cree – Rayona's cousin; son of Pauline Annabelle Stiffarm – Foxy's girlfriend Clara – Annie's sister; Christine's biological mother Annie George – Ida and Pauline's mother; Lecon's wife Lecon George – Ida, Pauline, and Christine's father; Annie's husband Ellen DeMarco – lifeguard at Bearpaw Lake Mr. and Mrs. DeMarco – Ellen's parents Norman "Sky" Dial – owner of the Conoco gas station near Bearpaw Lake; husband of Evelyn Dial Evelyn Dial – chef at Bearpaw Lake; wife of Sky Charlene – Seattle pharmacist; Christine's friend and neighbor Mr. McCutcheon – Bearpaw Lake maintenance supervisor John, Andy, and Dave – other Bearpaw Lake employees References Dorris, Michael, and James Patrick. Duffy. A Yellow Raft in Blue Water Michael Dorris. New York: Spark Pub., 2002. Print. External links SparkNotes Books of the Times, Multiple Perspectives Eccentricity was all They Could Afford Michael Dorris Dies At 52, Wrote of His Son's Suffering Alcohol's Child a Father Tells His Tale At The Movies NY Times Books Reviews 1987 American novels Native American novels Novels set in Montana Books about Native Americans Novels set in Washington (state) Henry Holt and Company books 1987 debut novels