Laura Bishop Character Analysis
Overview
Laura Bishop is Gage Bishop’s sister and a key secondary character in Mistakes Were Made. After a car accident killed her husband, Miller, and left her using a wheelchair, Laura becomes a figure of quiet resilience. Her most striking action is insisting on defending the driver responsible for her husband’s death—a choice that sets her apart from her protective family and drives much of the book’s emotional tension. She is a widow, a mother of three teenagers, and the owner of Story Lake’s general store.
Plot Role
Laura appears in several critical scenes that shape the novel’s arc around grief and justice. At the town meeting in Chapter 6, news breaks that the driver, Valerie Hillport, has finally been charged. Laura’s face turns ashen, and she wheels herself out—the first signal that the legal process will reopen old wounds. Later we learn that Laura has secretly hired Gage to represent Valerie, going against her brothers’ wishes. She appears at Valerie’s preliminary hearing, reaching over the railing to take Valerie’s hand, an act that shocks everyone. Her friendship with Zoey Moody deepens when Zoey shows up at her house with wine, and Laura allows herself a guarded friendship.
Motivations and Traits
Stubborn independence – Laura repeatedly insists on handling things her own way. She refuses her brothers’ involvement in the legal case, telling them, “You told me not to come to court” and “I didn’t want you two throwing a temper tantrum.” This stubbornness is a defense mechanism born of grief.
Empathy for the person who made a mistake – She describes Valerie as someone who “made a catastrophic mistake.” Laura’s capacity for forgiveness is extraordinary: she puts Valerie’s humanity ahead of her own family’s desire for vengeance.
Protective motherhood – Her three teenagers (Isla and two sons) are her world. She monitors their activities with a mix of worry and trust, stating, “Every second of the day since before they were born.” She even notes they are “being kids again” after the traumatic years following Miller’s death.
Vulnerability behind a tough exterior – When Zoey arrives unannounced, Laura is wary but lets her in after extracting a promise not to ask “how I’m doing.” This shows she craves connection but fears pity. She later admits, “I’m fine, you know,” to deflect further concern.
Chronological Arc
- Before the novel – Laura lost her husband Miller in a car accident and suffered spinal injuries that left her reliant on a wheelchair. She raised her three teenagers while running the family general store.
- Town meeting (Chapter 6) – The driver is charged. Laura flees the room, overwhelmed.
- Secret defense – Without telling her brothers, Laura asks Gage to represent Valerie. She keeps the arrangement hidden for weeks.
- Zoey’s visit (Chapter 8) – Laura allows Zoey to do the dishes and chat, revealing her messy but lived-in home and her guarded humor. She hints at coping by keeping busy.
- Preliminary hearing (Chapter 24) – Laura appears in court, takes Valerie’s hand, and shows public support. Her parents discover the secret.
- Family confrontation (Chapter 25) – At Pep and Frank’s farm, Laura argues with Cam and Levi. She defends her choice: “Because we have each other. She has no one.” Pep forces the siblings to stand in corners to talk it out.
- Resolution – The family eventually understands that this is what Laura needs for peace. By the ending, Laura’s relationship with her brothers is repaired, though her own story remains open—her role ultimately is to model forgiveness.
Relationships
Gage Bishop – Laura trusts Gage more than her other brothers, asking him to take the case. He agrees, saying he would do anything to take “one second of suffering away from her.” Gage becomes her legal advocate and confidant.
Cam and Levi – The two older brothers are furious when they learn the truth. They lash out physically at Gage, but Laura stands her ground. Their mutual love is evident in their fierce arguing; Cam says he would also “do whatever she asked.” The conflict stems from grief, not lack of caring.
Frank and Pep (parents) – Her parents initially watch with “twin looks of concern” and eventually support her decision, with Pep declaring that “if this is what brings Laura peace, this is what we want for her.”
Zoey Moody – Zoey’s unexpected visit breaks through Laura’s shell. Laura jokes, allows her to help clean, and later includes Zoey in the family meeting. The friendship is new but meaningful, showing Laura can still open up.
Key Decisions and Consequences
| Decision | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Hiring Gage to defend Valerie without telling the family | Distrust and a physical confrontation with her brothers; eventual reconciliation after everyone voices their pain |
| Showing up at the courthouse and taking Valerie’s hand | A profound public statement of forgiveness; validates Gage’s legal work and shocks the town |
| Accepting Zoey’s friendship | Allows Laura a rare moment of vulnerability; gives her a confidant outside the family |
Themes and Symbol Connections
Laura is the living embodiment of the grief and forgiveness theme. Rather than seek revenge, she deliberately seeks out the person who caused her loss and offers support. This choice challenges the reader to consider what justice truly means—punishment or restoration.
The small-town community theme is reflected in how the Bishop family rallies around Laura, even when they disagree. The general store she runs anchors her in the town’s daily life, and her children’s activities tie her to the town’s rhythm.
Laura also touches on vulnerability and commitment. Her willingness to be vulnerable—letting Zoey into her home, admitting she took a day off to clean—shows she is slowly moving toward emotional openness. Her wheelchair becomes a symbol of both limitation and agency: it does not stop her from running a business, raising kids, or driving to court. She controls how she uses it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does Laura defend the driver who killed her husband?
Laura believes Valerie made a catastrophic mistake and deserves a fair legal process. She tells her brothers that Valerie “has no one” while the Bishops have each other, indicating her motivation is compassion and a desire to prevent others from suffering alone.
2. How does Laura react when the driver is finally charged?
At the town meeting, Laura’s face turns ashen and she wheels out of the room without explanation, showing that the news reopens her trauma.
3. Does Laura’s family ever accept her decision?
After a heated family meeting where Pep and Frank intervene, the Bishops eventually agree to support Laura’s choice. Pep says that if defending Valerie is what brings Laura peace, then that is what they want.
4. What is Laura’s relationship with her children like?
She is a watchful, protective mother who keeps track of their activities and worries constantly. She notes that they are “being kids again” after the accident, implying the entire family is healing.
5. How does Zoey become friends with Laura?
Zoey shows up at Laura’s house uninvited with wine, demanding nothing but company. After initial suspicion, Laura lets her in and they clean the kitchen together, talking about teenage hijinks and avoiding “the stupid question”—a foundation for an honest friendship.