White Oleander

Astrid is driven out of town to her new placement in a trailer park where a woman named Starr lives. She notes the flora that exist in the area, including oleanders and pear cacti. Davey is Starr’s biological son, and she also has a daughter named Carolee and two foster sons, Owen and Peter. Astrid considers how “tenuous the links were between mother and children, between friends, family, things you think are eternal” (52). She feels sad knowing there must be many more children who have been separated from their families. Astrid has to share a room with Carolee; at night, she can hear Starr having sex in the room next door. Carolee comments on her mother being a fake Christian who has “got the sin virus in her blood” (53).

Astrid is in the car with Starr and Carolee as Starr smokes and talks about how Jesus saved her when she was at her lowest, addicted to cocaine, and her kids had been taken from her. Starr takes the girls shopping at a store full of cheap, vibrant clothing. Astrid is taken aback when Starr tries on a slim-fitted dress and regularly comments on her amazing figure.