Chapter 87: Harley – Summary & Analysis

Spoiler Notice

This chapter summary and analysis contains spoilers for Chapter 87 of My Beloved. Read only after completing the chapter.

Summary

Chapter 87 opens with Harley reflecting on how he had depended on his cat, Dolors, to get Reg’s attention as Reg headed to Virginia. Dolors let out a yowl that successfully alerted Reg, though it scared him. When Harley saw the Ram pull in at the Exxon station, he broke down crying. He was exhausted, hungry, and covered in grease – a “grease monkey” in appearance. Despite the emotional breakdown, he thanked the Lord that the wreck wasn’t worse; the truck’s grille wasn’t even dented.

On his way home, Harley stopped at Jake’s and ate two hot dogs, finding genuine happiness in the simple meal. Back at Meadowgate, he took a hot shower in the basement bathroom and then crawled into the princess bed where he had started out. He was glad to look up at the ruffled pink canopy, a sign of comfort and belonging.

Dolors, meanwhile, was settling in as well. She used a litter box borrowed from the clinic and ate mashed peas and mashed tuna donated by Lace. Harley placed her in a borrowed crate to sleep, unwilling to risk her jumping on the bed during the night. He turned off the pink lamp that used to play a lullaby before its batteries died, and hoped Dolors wouldn’t mind his snoring. He planned to head out to Miss Pringle’s the next morning, but intended to call first.

Key Events

• Harley recalls the plan to use Dolors to alert Reg; the yowl worked and scared Reg.
• Harley cries uncontrollably when he sees the Ram at the Exxon station.
• He acknowledges his worn-out, greasy state and thanks God that the wreck was minor.
• He eats two hot dogs at Jake’s, feeling happy as “a pig in mud.”
• He takes a hot shower and sleeps in the princess bed at Meadowgate, appreciating the pink canopy.
• Dolors is cared for with borrowed items: litter box from the clinic, food from Lace.
• Harley keeps Dolors in a borrowed crate for the night to avoid disturbance.
• He turns off the non-working pink lamp and falls asleep, hoping Dolors tolerates his snoring.
• He plans to call Miss Pringle before visiting her the next day.

Character Development

Harley’s vulnerability is on full display in this chapter. He is not merely tired; he is emotionally drained, breaking down in tears upon seeing Reg. His gratitude for a small mercy – a wreck that didn’t worsen – reveals a humble, faith-filled side. The chapter shows Harley finding solace in simple, familiar rituals: hot food, a hot shower, a cozy bed. His care for Dolors, using borrowed resources and ensuring her comfort, underscores his nurturing nature. The princess bed and canopy, once perhaps a symbol of foreign luxury, now represent home and safety. Harley’s character deepens as a man who can be both a hardened grease monkey and a tender soul grateful for small blessings.

Reg is only mentioned, but his role in the incident and his frightened reaction indicate a strong bond between the two men. Lace’s donation of tuna illustrates the quiet community support surrounding Harley.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Gratitude is the dominant theme. Harley repeatedly thanks the Lord, not for grand miracles but for a non-worsening accident, a hot meal, clean water, and a safe bed. His thankfulness permeates every action.

Homecoming and Comfort are embodied in the princess bed and pink canopy. Harley finds peace in a space that once might have felt mismatched to him, now a sanctuary. The hot shower similarly symbolizes cleansing and restoration.

Community Support is shown through the borrowed items – the litter box from the clinic, the tuna from Lace, the crate – all quietly provided by others. No one makes a show of helping; it is simply given.

Simple Pleasures – eating hot dogs, sleeping without disturbance, a cat settling in – are elevated to sources of genuine happiness. The chapter reminds readers that sometimes the smallest comforts matter most.

Why This Chapter Matters

After earlier possible tensions or plot developments, Chapter 87 offers a quiet, introspective pause. It allows readers to see Harley outside of his usual role as a mechanic or helper, focusing instead on his inner life and his capacity for gratitude. The chapter sets up his upcoming visit to Miss Pringle, suggesting that Harley’s personal journey is far from over. It also deepens our understanding of his relationships with Reg, Lace, and the wider Mitford community, showing how support networks function in subtle, everyday ways.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why did Harley cry when he saw the Ram pull in at the Exxon?
Harley was overwhelmed with relief and exhaustion. The Ram’s arrival meant the incident was over and Reg was safe. He had been worn out and hungry, and the sight triggered an emotional release – he “broke down an’ cried”.

2. What did Harley eat on his way home, and why did it make him happy?
He ate two hot dogs at Jake’s. He was hungry as “a nanny goat,” and the simple meal made him “happy as a pig in mud” – a testament to how small pleasures can bring deep satisfaction after a stressful event.

3. What borrowed items did Dolors use, and who contributed them?
Dolors used a litter box from the clinic and a crate borrowed from somewhere (likely from the clinic as well). She ate mashed peas and mashed tuna donated by Lace. Each item was a quiet gift of community support.

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