She must have wanted to kill you for bringing an old girlfriend's baby home. Pretty much, Paul said. Mom, I liked Terri, but it wasn't out of affection for her that I took Hannah home. Have you held that little girl? Let her put her arms around your neck? Who, in their right mind, could have left her behind? Marianne put her hand against Paul's cheek, leaving a trail of flour there. You're a good boy, Paul. I don't know where you got it, but you're a good boy. He
In the conversation between Paul and his mother, Marianne, Paul reflects on a past decision to bring home a baby that belonged to an old girlfriend, which suggests it caused some tension. He expresses that his motivations were not rooted in feelings for Terri but rather in a deep compassion for the child, Hannah. This highlights a significant emotional connection and the struggle of leaving a child behind, suggesting that few could endure such a choice.
Marianne, responding to Paul's sentiments, reassures him of his goodness, despite the complexities of the situation. Her affectionate gesture of wiping flour on his cheek symbolizes a bond filled with understanding and unconditional love. This exchange emphasizes the themes of familial support and the innate human response to protect and care for the vulnerable, encapsulating both the inner conflict and the strong moral compass of the characters.
