2. Beth is considering
(a) Putting Vincent in reform school
(b) Remarrying
(c) Being a waitress at the restaurant
(d) Returning to college

3. George Karras now suffers from
(a) His wife's incarceration
(b) Bone cancer
(c) Mental illness
(d) The loss of a son

4. What is it about Ben's eyes that Beth recognizes?
(a) They are almost lashless
(b) They are bright green
(c) They are ringed with black lashes
(d) They look Irish and Italian

5. How does Beth try to steady herself when taking photographs?
(a) She repeats a song in her mind
(b) She tells herself to "line up."
(c) She closes her eyes and relaxes
(d) She closes her fists first

Short Answer Questions

1. Beth loses her balance when she sees the portrait of

2. Beth wonders why Kerry is confident at all, since she grew up with

3. What has Beth been doing when the boy comes to her door?

4. Beth cannot restrain herself from

5. How did the FBI handle the possibility of Cecil's involvement in Ben's kidnapping

Short Essay Questions

1. What was it that prompted Cecil to kidnap Ben?

2. Why does Beth seek out Nick again? Does she get what she wants?

3. What does the court order in terms of custody of Ben/Sam? Why?

4. What does Beth discover when Vincent leaves for school on this memorable morning when the family is about to re-claim Ben? How does it make her feel?

5. How does Beth steady herself for photographing scenes?

6. How would you describe the ending of this story? Is it happy? Is the story a tragedy?

7. Why will Cecil Lockhart not have to pay a price for having kidnapped Ben?

8. What is the primary reason for Sam's depression and unhappiness?

9. Why does Reese refer to the celebration of Ben's return as a "manger scene?"

10. How does Candy feel about Ben's reappearance?

(see the answer keys)

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