Joey Donovan

Joey Donovan is a girl who works with Whit's model railroad and deeply wants to help her friend Stephanie. Alarmed by Stephanie's overeating and the ridicule she receives, Joey studies dieting and offers to keep her away from tempting food. Concern soon becomes harsh control as Joey throws away lunches, watches every choice, and treats visible behavior as the whole problem. Whit compares Stephanie to a malfunctioning locomotive whose crashes have a hidden mechanical cause. Joey realizes that friendship requires patience, listening, prayer, and attention to the pain beneath an unhealthy habit. Earnest and forceful, she must learn that she cannot repair another person by taking over. Her better role is to remain truthful, compassionate, and available while deeper help begins.