The Bean Trees

The group finally reaches the Cherokee reservation, and Taylor notices that Estevan and Esperanza begin to relax once they’re in an environment where everyone looks similar to them. Taylor is now the odd one out as a white woman. During the drive, Turtle shouts out “Mama” when they pass a gas station and cemetery (275). They reach the Lake O’ the Cherokees and rent a cabin using the money Mattie gave them. The environment is green and lush, in stark contrast to the Arizona desert. Turtle plays outside, and Taylor notices that Esperanza finally seems happier and is very loving toward Turtle. Taylor and Estevan take a boat out on the lake, and Taylor continues to fight her attraction to him.

As they enjoy a picnic together by the lake, Taylor notices Turtle burying her doll, which she has named Shirley Poppy. When Taylor tells her that the doll won’t grow like beans or vegetable seeds do, Turtle repeats the word “mama.” Taylor asks Turtle if she saw her mama getting buried like this, which Turtle confirms. Realizing that this means Turtle’s mother likely died, leaving Turtle with her aunt and in an abusive situation, Taylor devises a new plan. She knows it’s risky, but when she explains it to Estevan and Esperanza, they agree to help without hesitation.

At the offices of Mr. Jonas Wilford Armistead, Cynthia’s social worker contact in Oklahoma City, Estevan and Esperanza pretend to be the biological parents of Turtle, going by the names Steven and Hope Two Two. They pretend that they’re giving Turtle to Taylor for a legal adoption because they can’t care for her due to economic reasons and that they’ve decided to formalize the agreement because Taylor plans to move out of state.

While Estevan is a clever and convincing liar, Esperanza’s performance convinces everyone. She begins to cry real tears, explaining that she loves her daughter but can’t take care of her and that she wants her to grow up with a good heart. The notary public signs and witnesses a document conferring legal guardianship of April Turtle Two Two unto Taylor. After the ordeal, Esperanza seems changed, and her face looks like that of a new person. Taylor feels grateful that they risked themselves and sacrificed their pride to help her and Turtle.

After the adoption hearing is done, Taylor takes Estevan and Esperanza to the sanctuary church. Turtle wakes up to say goodbye to them and Taylor talks with Estevan. They discuss how Esperanza found some catharsis in the adoption hearing, even though it was Turtle and not Ismene that she was giving up. Taylor is sad that she won’t be able to easily communicate with them anymore, but Estevan promises to send word through Mattie. He hopes that one day he can write to her from his home back in Guatemala once things are better there. Before he leaves, he gives her a kiss.

Taylor calls her mother from a pay phone and explains that she’s heartbroken over having to leave Estevan, even though he was never really hers to have. She thanks her mother for her good parenting, and her mother tells her about how much happier she is now that she doesn’t have to clean houses to survive financially. She jokes that she knows so much gossip about the wealthier homes in town that she finally has power and leverage in society.

While Taylor and Turtle wait for the adoption certificate to be processed, they visit a local library and read a book about plants. Taylor reads about the “bean trees” meaning wisteria vines, and learns that they depend on a mutually beneficial relationship with a microorganism in their roots called rhizobia. Taylor explains this to Turtle, telling her that the community of friends they have in Tucson is like their rhizobia.

Before driving back, Taylor calls Lou Ann and informs her that they’ll be heading back soon. Lou Ann announces that she has decided not to move to Montana to be with Angel and that she has started dating another man named Cameron John, who works at the salsa factory. He’s black, and she doubts her mother would approve, but he’s gentle and sweet to her. However, Lou Ann doesn’t plan to move in with him anytime soon. She confesses that she considers Taylor her family, and Taylor agrees.

Taylor receives the official adoption certificate for Turtle, and they prepare to drive home to Tucson. Turtle sings a song about vegetable soup, in which the names of plants mingle with the names of her friends and family.