And Then, Boom!

Grandmum is Joey’s grandmother; she serves as his primary caregiver until her death early in the novel. Grandmum is British and has traveled the world with Joey’s grandfather, an American Air Force pilot, before moving to the US. Practical and nurturing, she creates a world of safety and comfort for Joey as best she can. The quilt she makes becomes a lasting symbol of her warmth and protection, serving as a reminder of her care even after her death. Grandmum works tirelessly, often while ill, and she cleans offices to earn enough money to care for Joey. Her dedication to Joey’s well-being is shown in quiet moments of sacrifice, as when she gives him extra portions of food while she goes hungry.

Grandmum’s presence in Joey’s life is critical for his physical survival and for his emotional security. She sees Joey clearly, affirms his goodness, and helps him to feel loved despite the neglect he experiences from his mother. Grandmum’s sudden death, which is caused by an untreated medical condition due to lack of access to healthcare, reveals the structural consequences of poverty and deprives Joey of the one adult who consistently prioritized his needs. Her absence marks the beginning of Joey’s most desperate phase. Her memory continues to influence Joey, especially during moments when he feels lost or considers giving up. At the end of the novel, he dedicates his free pantries to her memory and the care she provided.

Joey’s mother is a deeply destabilizing force in his life. Her main defining characteristic is her unpredictability, which Joey often conceptualizes as “the itch”: a compulsion to abandon responsibility and disappear. When she is present, she is emotionally abusive and treats Joey with contempt. She is also at the center of the legal and financial troubles that led Joey and Grandmum to lose their home. Joey refers obliquely to these issues as “the mess with Mom” (30), and his reluctance to discuss her behavior reveals the shame and secrecy that he carries.

Rather than confronting his anger toward his mother, Joey blames himself for her abandonment and seeks to prove himself worthy of her love. This emotional dynamic inhibits his ability to ask for help or trust other adults. He often compares his mother to a storm, highlighting how her presence upends his life. Over the course of the novel, especially after the tornado and the public exposure of her absence, Joey begins to let go of this shame, realizing that he holds a great deal of anger toward his mother. He accepts that he cannot control or fix their relationship, and this acceptance becomes a key part of his healing process.

Nick is Joey’s classmate and neighbor, and he plays a crucial role in supporting Joey during his most vulnerable moments. Nick’s own background with foster care and his complex relationship with his mother, who experiences depression, gives him a unique insight into Joey’s situation. He shows empathy not through direct confrontation, but through discreet gestures like slipping Joey food and supplies, telling him about the available trailer, and respecting his need for privacy.

Nick’s mother experiences depression and cannot always care for him, especially after his parents split up and his dad moves away. As a result, Nick has gone in and out of foster care. His resistance to having his hair cut and his habit of packing a suitcase reflect the long-term impacts of foster care on a child’s psyche, and he is keenly aware of how to preserve his dignity and autonomy despite his precarious situation. Nick understands what it is like to be “parentified”: to take on a caregiving role beyond his age, and Joey recognizes this pattern in Nick’s concern for his mother. In turn, Joey later helps to care for Nick’s mom when she is in crisis, signaling a reciprocal relationship grounded in mutual understanding and trust. Nick represents what is possible when peers look out for one another, and his kindness shows the value of empathy that comes from shared experiences.

Hakeem is Joey’s other close friend and provides a steady, supportive presence throughout the novel. While his home life is more stable than Joey’s or Nick’s, he shows consistent emotional intelligence and care. Hakeem knows how to ask serious questions without being invasive, and he encourages communication while respecting boundaries. His home is occasionally a refuge for his friends, and he provides them with emotional balance.

Hakeem illustrates the importance of friendship that does not require explanation or justification. He helps create an environment where Joey and Nick can begin to talk about what they are going through, and his actions show that peers can break cycles of silence. His emotional availability, combined with his respect for his friends’ autonomy, underscores the value of open dialogue as a step toward healing.

Uncle Frankie manages the mobile home park and serves as a quiet, dependable presence in Joey’s life. Though he is not a biological uncle, he is a steady, reliable adult figure who offers support without judgment or pressure. Frankie regularly checks in on Joey, offers him food, and provides a place for him to stay when things fall apart. He also helps Joey to take his dogs to the vet and gets them much-needed food. However, Joey’s intense shame and fear of judgment prevent him from fully accepting Uncle Frankie’s support, and his reticence highlights the fact that internalized shame can keep children from seeking help that is readily available.

Frankie’s role also underscores the importance of community-based caregiving, and the author suggests that such support doesn’t always have to be formalized. Uncle Frankie is patient and respectful of Joey’s boundaries, and his presence challenges the idea that only biological family members can provide meaningful care. At the novel’s turning point, Frankie initiates contact with emergency services when the situation with Joey’s mother becomes public. This action serves as a catalyst for Joey’s transition into foster care, reinforcing Frankie’s role as a protective ally in Joey’s life.

Mrs. Swan, Joey’s math teacher, plays crucial role in illustrating how schools can be a line of defense against the more invisible forms of childhood poverty. She is consistently observant and kind, and though she doesn’t push Joey to reveal anything that he isn’t ready to share, she makes sure that her classroom is a safe and welcoming place. Her desk drawer is always filled with snacks and supplies, and she takes quiet care to ensure that students can access what they need without drawing attention or inviting shame.

Mrs. Swan’s approach demonstrates a deep understanding of the emotional impact of poverty, and she understands that shame can isolate children and prevent them from seeking help. Her actions are never grand or sentimental, but they signal to Joey that at least one adult in his life is paying attention. By creating systems that allow students to retain their dignity while receiving support, Mrs. Swan serves as a quiet counterbalance to the chaos in Joey’s home life. She represents the power of everyday empathy and small structural interventions in giving vulnerable children a measure of stability.