Teresa is a Mexican-indigenous woman raised in Chicago who writes poetry and maintains a deep connection to her cultural heritage. Spontaneous and expressive, she manages complex relationships with men while challenging societal expectations. She depends heavily on her profound correspondence with her best friend to process her life experiences.

Alicia is an Anglo American artist from New York City with a tense relationship with her family. She experiences low self-esteem due to the lingering disapproval of her racially prejudiced father. Despite moments of fragility, she fiercely pursues her artistic ambitions in metalworking and painting.

Libra is Teresa's husband, a man whose relationship with her is built on spontaneous emotion but fraught with financial and domestic difficulties. He attempts various business ventures in California, including opening a body shop and working as a street fruit vendor.

Rodney is a Black man living in New York who maintains a relationship with Alicia. Their relationship represents a point of defiance against Alicia's prejudiced father, though Rodney frequently disappoints her.

Abdel is a Vietnam veteran and aspiring filmmaker who attends an art program with Alicia in New York. He lives with Alicia and struggles with depression following his military service.

Alvaro is a Mexican man from a wealthy family who works alongside Teresa in social justice initiatives. He harbors unexpressed romantic feelings for Teresa and introduces her to his family in Mexico.

Alexis is Alicia's cousin, a talented flamenco guitarist from Spain looking to make his fortune in America. Passionate and domestic, he easily charms those around him through his music and cooking.

El Gallo is a married man from Spain who travels to the United States with his friend Alexis. He temporarily pairs off with Alicia during their time in the city before returning to his family.

Filomena is Teresa's aunt, a woman who has been married for thirty years. She carries the history of a previous relationship in Mexico that resulted in her two oldest children.

Fermín is Teresa's uncle and Filomena's husband of thirty years. Teresa anticipates he might exhibit inappropriate behavior toward her friends unless threatened with exposure to his wife.

Chino is Teresa's uncle, characterized by his hostility toward women. He maintains an explicit belief in female incompetence.

Peloncito is Teresa's developmentally disabled cousin. He stands out among her male relatives for lacking the predatory attitudes common to the others in the family.

Eddie is Teresa's cousin who lives in Germany. Having had a sex change operation, she is estranged from the rest of the extended family.

Ignacio is Teresa's cousin, presenting an aggressive and defensive demeanor following a difficult rejection from his former wife in Mexico.

Adán works as a gardener at a Mexican hotel who becomes romantically involved with Alicia. He conceals his existing marriage from her during their brief relationship.

Wolfgang is a local artist in Oaxaca who charms Alicia by praising her sketching. He uses this initial attention to get closer to Teresa, causing tension between the two friends.

Sergio is a wealthy hotel owner on the Yucatan Peninsula who pursues Teresa. He offers to arrange a divorce for her so they can marry quietly.

Ponce is a young man in Veracruz who invites the women to his supposedly haunted house. He repeatedly propositions Teresa while acting as their host.

Melvin is a business partner of Libra who convinces him to buy a horse and wagon to sell fruit. He takes advantage of Libra's financial contributions while demanding preferential treatment.

Teresa's mother raised her in Chicago and holds traditional expectations for her daughter. She openly celebrates the prospect of Teresa marrying wealthy men and achieving high social status.

Alicia's father is a New York City resident who holds strong racial prejudices. He maintains demanding standards that his daughter constantly struggles to meet.

The unnamed medical student is a young man living with his parents in Mexico City. Pressured by his family's high expectations, he privately struggles with failing grades while harboring feelings for Teresa.

The poet is a gay man who shares a domestic living arrangement with Teresa in Chicago. He supports himself with family money and the proceeds from his writing.

Vicente Das Mortes is a Brazilian man whom Teresa introduces to Alicia in New York, predicting that the two will eventually become romantically involved due to their shared love of dancing.