I Am the Messenger: 8 of Hearts Summary & Analysis

Marv calls Ed later and says they will go to Suzanne’s house tomorrow. Ed offers to drive them there in his cab. The next night, they drive to the next town over. The Boyds live in a house just as poor and rundown as the one they lived in before. Marv sits in the car for 40 minutes before he summons the courage to get out. After 14 failed attempts, he wills himself up to the front door and knocks. The door opens, but Ed can’t see who is there. Marv goes inside the home.

A few moments later, Marv comes flying out the door. Henry Boyd, Suzanne’s father, is beating Marv as he scrambles across the lawn. Ed gets out of the cab, even though Henry is strong and furious. As Ed runs toward the house, Henry kicks Marv as he lies on the ground. Marv attempts to explain to him that he has money he wants to give to the child, but Henry won’t listen. He tells Marv to never come back.

Ed approaches and attempts to pick Marv up off the ground. He looks up and sees Suzanne standing in the doorway with the child. Henry shouts at Suzanne to go back inside and Suzanne disappears. Henry says Marv disgraced their family. Ed argues that Suzanne is also responsible. Ed approaches Henry and states that Marv acted honorably by facing Henry even though he knew there would be a fight. Henry begins to look intensely sad and begs them to leave. Ed returns to his cab and realizes Marv is still in the yard. Suzanne is out on the porch and the two of them are staring at each other.