providing unwitting counsel to victims. Susie, whose emotional pain and insecurities have healed somewhat with time and effort, builds a happy relationship with John, and a pregnant Franny asks them to raise her and Junior's impending baby. Characters John Berry: John is the third child of Win and Mary Berry. He has four siblings: Frank, Franny, Lilly, and Egg. The story is told from a first-person point of view, John being the narrator. He is particularly close to Franny, more so than any of his other siblings, and eventually falls in love with her. After Franny is raped, John takes a particular interest in becoming physically fitter to fulfill his desired role as Franny's protector, attempting to impress Franny and assuage the guilt he felt for not stopping the attack. With help from his grandfather, Iowa Bob (or Coach Bob), he begins working out, until he is able to describe himself such: "That’s me: five feet eight inches tall, and 150 pounds. And hard all over." (111). Although John has a few short sexual endeavors with various women, he always holds a special place in his heart for Franny. Eventually, the two succumb to their mutual love and have sex for almost an entire day. After this, they remain close, but only as brother and sister. John helps start a rape recovery and support clinic at the old Arbuthnot-by-the-Sea, where his parents first met. He also marries Susie the Bear, and the couple adopt Franny's child. Franny Berry: Second-oldest child of the Berry family, she is considered strikingly attractive. She has a tendency to take charge of the family, particularly after her mother dies. She is caring, vibrant, and outgoing, although her confidence sometimes tends toward offensive or reckless behavior; however, her intentions are always to protect those she loves. She also eventually falls in love with her brother, John. During her teenage years, she becomes the victim of a gang rape, revealing previously hidden sensitivity and self-doubt, and the experience remains with her throughout her life. She becomes an actress and stars in a movie about her own family. After she and John resolve their love for each other, she marries one of the classmates who rescued her from the rape, Junior Jones. Much later, the two have a child, which they give to John and Susie. Frank Berry: Oldest of the Berry children, he is often at odds