Page "The Cider House Rules" Paragraph 6

A subplot follows the character Melony, who grew up alongside Homer in the orphanage.

She was Homer's first girlfriend in a relationship of circumstances.

After Homer leaves the orphanage, so does she in an effort to find him.

She eventually becomes an electrician and takes a female lover, Lorna.

Melony is an extremely stoic woman, who refuses to press charges against a man who brutally broke her nose and arm so that she can later retaliate herself.

She is the catalyst that transforms Homer from his comfortable but not entirely admirable position at the apple orchard to becoming Dr. Larch's replacement at the orphanage.