What is the significance of the pet turtle, Cherylene Cee?

The turtle is a joint project for Marcus and Sarat. The turtle is named for the Southern Singer who sang about Julia Templestowe's heroic martyrdom. The turtle's significance is that it is the one thing Sarat is able to save after the massacre. Cherylene Cee, the turtle, survives to old age on the Chestnut homestead as a pet to Benjamin.