She gives Eric her number while in the facility and later meets him at the state fair. She is revealed to be working with police. Jimmy The young cop who helps Proctor catch Eric in the act, whether real or framed. Sonny Boy Sweet Lefty's torturer and resident bully at the facility. Sweet Lefty An easygoing and usually well-liked inmate who is bullied by other inmates but "rescued" by Eric. Ross Packer A young reporter at the Wickburg Telegram who writes the Ms. Anonymous piece on Lori that Eric later reads. Gary One of the nicer men that Lori's mom has dated. Gary also feels attracted to Lori. Dexter An ex of Lori's mother who beat her, giving her a black eye and then fled soon afterward. Mr. Clayton The driver of the van who picks up Lori when she hitchhikes and succumbs to her seductions. Lori steals his wallet and decides to mail it back to him, but she never does because it is later stolen from her. Phyllis Kendall A beautiful old woman with white hair who is also the caretaker and mentor at the teen pregnancy center, Harmony House. Mrs. Hornsby An out of place cook at the teen pregnancy center, Harmony House. Debbie An exceptionally big pregnant teen at Harmony House. Chantelle Another very pregnant teen girl. Tiffany A frail tiny girl who is also Lori's rival, she tries to frame her for theft at Harmony House. Rory Leader of a gang. Crystal A plump girl who is a member of the gang, later becomes pregnant, and attends Harmony House teen pregnancy center Bantam A skinny little kid who wants to act tough and is also part of the gang Reception In 1998, the American Library Association named Tenderness one of the top ten Best Books for Young Adults to be published that year. References 1997 American novels Novels by Robert Cormier American young adult novels American novels adapted into films