Once he had filled his body with tattoos, he became generally disappointed with himself and it was time to look for something new to complete his life. Upon meeting Sarah Ruth, Parker was convinced that she was not good enough for him, yet found that he was intrigued by her and the two eventually joined together in marriage. "He couldn't have got her any other way ", as O'Connor describes Parker's reason for choosing Sarah Ruth. Parker wanted something that he would have to work for and would have physical possession over. In comparison, the audience is still left to wonder what the reasoning behind Sarah Ruth's interest toward Parker was.
The marriage between O.E. and Sarah Ruth was that as of night and day. They were complete opposites, despite coming from somewhat similar backgrounds such as very little education and money. Sarah Ruth was a devout Christian who knew the Bible well and often quoted from it as she cautioned Parker of how horrible Judgment day would be for him if he continued to live his blasphemous life. Contradictory to what Sarah Ruth expresses as her beliefs, is the idolatry she unknowingly places on the name Obadiah Elihue, as his name refers to two Old Testament characters. Sarah Ruth was undoubtedly a typical girl who like any others, would expect to be married someday. Parker's thoughts on why she married him are displayed in the beginning of the story as contemplates "she had married him because she meant to save him. Whether or not that was Sarah Ruth's intention is unknown, but salvation was the ultimate outcome.
Incapable of accepting Sarah Ruth's criticism as valuable, Parker constantly masked his insecurity brought on by her words with mockery. Mumbling to the audience, Parker boasts that although Sarah Ruth was the first wife he had ever had, she was by no means his first woman. It is most apparent that he is seeking to go against Sarah Ruth when he decides to get one final tattoo on his back.