Family

Through the characterization of the members of the Rain Valley community, readers see that they become Alice’s family even though they are not biologically related to her. The members of the community take this approach as soon as they find her in the tree. They do not run her away. Instead, they call Ellie as they are sure that she will know how to act in the best interest of the child. Peanut takes a motherly approach in helping Alice when she thinks that the child may want food. Cal uses the fact that he is a father to justify the possibility that he can coax the child to come down from the tree. Peanut argues that she can because she is a mother. Neither one of them talk about their police training being an asset. In addition, the town members vow to protect Alice...