Raymond is a 16-year-old biracial teenager living in New York City with his mother, stepfather, and three half-sisters. Feeling profoundly isolated after his only friend moves away, he struggles with severe anxiety and questions about his own asexuality. He discovers a stray cat in an abandoned basement and takes it upon himself to track down an elderly neighbor's missing caretaker, searching the city directory for men named Luis Velez.

Millie is a 92-year-old widow who emigrated from Germany as a child in 1938 to escape persecution. She is almost completely blind and relies heavily on a caretaker to manage daily necessities like grocery shopping and banking. Following the sudden disappearance of her regular caretaker, she is cut off from the outside world until Raymond intervenes and begins assisting her.

Luis is a young Hispanic man who worked as a compassionate caretaker for Millie for four years. He is married with two children and a third on the way. His unexplained disappearance creates a crisis for Millie and initiates Raymond's exhaustive search through the New York City directory.

Isabel is the pregnant wife of Millie's caretaker, Luis. She carries the emotional burden of her husband's sudden absence and quickly forms an emotional connection with the people who cared about him.

She is Raymond's white mother, living in an apartment with her new husband, Ed, and three young daughters. She frequently misunderstands Raymond, assuming his secretive behavior and late arrivals stem from a new teenage romance rather than his volunteer caretaking.

Malcolm is a Black dentist who lives with his new, younger wife, Neesha. He sees his son Raymond on a strict bi-monthly schedule but maintains a somewhat distant, emotionally reserved relationship with him, often opting to watch television rather than converse.

Ed is Raymond's white stepfather. He shows little interest in Raymond's life and resents providing for him, making Raymond feel like an intruder in his own home.

Neesha is Malcolm Jaffe's young second wife. She is highly protective of her space and time with her husband, clearly viewing her teenage stepson's visits as an intrusion.

Andre is Raymond's only friend at his New York City high school. On the day the story begins, Andre is preparing to move to California, a transition that leaves Raymond completely isolated.

Clarissa is the toddler daughter of Raymond's mother and Ed. She is one of Raymond's three half-sisters and the only one who interacts with him regularly, though often just to taunt him in a childish manner.

This Luis Velez is a wealthy civil litigator whom Raymond contacts during his search. Though initially confused by Raymond's visit, he is moved by the teenager's dedication to helping a blind neighbor.

Sofia is the wife of another man named Luis Velez. She presides over a large, boisterous, and deeply affectionate Hispanic family. She immediately welcomes Raymond into her home and feeds him.

Luisa is the teenage daughter of Sofia. Having survived meningitis, she is deeply grateful for her health and feels compelled to help Raymond in his seemingly impossible search for the missing caretaker.

Vivian Hatfield is an older, deaf woman who turns off her hearing aids in public to block out city noise. She is intensely fearful of her surroundings and carries a pistol in her purse for protection.