And Then, Boom!

Eleven-year-old Joey Oak, the protagonist, narrates the novel in the first person, using fragmented and emotionally charged language to describe his inner life. He lives in a small US town in tornado alley, where his physical surroundings mirror the turbulence of his personal life. Joey’s primary struggle is rooted in the instability caused by his mother, who frequently abandons him and is emotionally abusive whenever she is present. Her frequent desire to leave, which Joey refers to as “the itch,” shapes his experience of abandonment, and he internalizes a deep sense of shame and unworthiness. However, he rarely expresses his anger at her and instead focuses on trying to be “good enough” to earn her love and convince her to stay. This dynamic leaves him emotionally exhausted and vulnerable. 

For the first part of the novel, Joey’s primary source of stability comes from his Grandmum, with whom he shares a close and nurturing relationship. Her unconditional love and care provide a necessary counterbalance to the volatility of his mother. When Grandmum dies suddenly due to an untreated illness, Joey loses the one adult he fully trusts. After Mom abandons Joey for the final time, leaving him to take care of himself in the aftermath of his Grandmum’s death, this event initiates a downward spiral, during which Joey struggles with increasing food insecurity, shame, and isolation.