Despite her fear of exploding tires, Taylor starts working for Mattie at Jesus Is Lord Used Tires. Taylor seems able to face her fears and work to overcome them, especially if it means being able to support Turtle monetarily and emotionally. Mattie agrees to give Taylor two tires for her Volkswagen and help fix the ignition, so she can't refuse the job offer. Noticing that Taylor is jumpy around loud noises, Mattie asks her if she's "running from the law." Foreshadowing the future, Mattie comments, "I've got enough of that on my hands," without explaining any further. Embarrassed, Taylor admits to being afraid of exploding tires. Kingsolver's scientific background is again evident as Mattie helps Taylor overcome her fear of exploding tires by performing an experiment and explaining exploding tires in relative terms.
As time passes, Taylor becomes more aware of Spanish- speaking people living with Mattie. The people come and go with the blue-jeaned priest whom Taylor met on her first visit to Mattie's shop. When Taylor asks Mattie about the people, Mattie asks her if she knows what a sanctuary is. Taylor's only familiarity is with sanctuaries set aside to protect birds. Mattie tells her that sanctuaries exist for people, too. Here, Kingsolver begins focusing Taylor's — and the reader's — attention on the plight of less fortunate people. Taylor's growing awareness of the world around her mirrors her newfound awareness of herself as a responsible adult in whose care a young girl has been placed.
