Because Carley’s mother extolled the virtues of appearing tough and emotionless, so Carley has some inclination toward doing so. Nevertheless, she quickly grows to have a soft spot for Michael Eric and Adam. She genuinely enjoys playing with them the afternoon before she begins school. She worries about Michael Eric the night he has a seizure and jumps into the role of caretaker for Adam when Mrs. Murphy asks. (She tries to tend to Daniel too, but he insists that he doesn’t need her help). When Mrs. Murphy is ill, she offers to keep both Michael Eric and Adam busy with books and get them ready for bedtime. She isn’t angry when Michael Eric inadvertently reveals her secret about being in foster care in front of Toni. Though she strongly dislikes any physical contact from adults for most of the novel—allowing Mrs. Murphy to hug her only after great encouragement—she doesn’t shy away from the younger boys’ touch; while she reads to them in the closet, they lean on her, and when she leaves, they hug her tightly.

Her natural love and tenderness toward Adam and Michael Eric indicate that Carley has immense potential for familial love.