The Turning

4. – The girl whose missing finger captivates Vic, symbolizing imperfection and obsession
5. – Vic’s surname, marking him as the policeman’s son
8. – The story where Vic searches for his estranged father at his mother's dying wish
9. – Despite humiliation, Vic’s mother maintains strength and dignity throughout her hardship
10. – The strain with his wife Gail mirrors Vic’s inner struggle to let go of the past
12. – The shy, academically gifted boy growing up in Angelus under his father’s shadow
14. – The story’s title, reflecting Vic’s role as someone who seeks to protect the vulnerable
16. – The story’s title in which teenage Vic confronts loss and absence while visiting White Point
17. – The fictional small town where the interconnected stories take place

1. – The item Vic’s mother is falsely accused of stealing, leading to her dismissal
2. – A pervasive mood in Vic’s childhood, fueled by his father’s police role and town dynamics
3. – Vic’s mother works as a cleaner; he helps her kneeling in others’ dirty homes
6. – Vic’s fixation on physical “defects,” especially Melanie’s missing finger, echoing broader themes
7. – A key emotional barrier as Vic seeks explanation, while Bob yearns for forgiveness
11. – The tool Vic uses in Long, Clear View to scan the street from his window
13. – A recurring undercurrent throughout Vic’s journey—childhood losses, his sister’s death, and his emotional burdens
15. – Vic crouches here with his father’s rifle, straining outward in fear and vigilance
18. – Vic grows up to become a labor lawyer, driven by justice and defense of the weak