An eight-year-old third grader from an Albanian immigrant family. He is mature for his age, highly disciplined, and eager to please his teachers. At home, he helps operate his family's ice cream truck and experiences a tense domestic environment dictated by his father's strictness.

A Las Vegas housewife in her mid-fifties whose stable world is abruptly shattered. Having overcome a traumatic, impoverished childhood with a neglectful mother, Avis built a comfortable suburban life that she is now forced to reevaluate. She works to redefine her life and remains fiercely protective of her son.

A Mexican-American Army veteran suffering from severe PTSD and physical injuries after his deployments in Iraq. Struggling with intense guilt over his actions in the war and the loss of his best friend, he slowly learns to accept the medical and emotional help he needs to heal.

A volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate for Las Vegas's homeless youth. Raised in a wealthy Jewish family, she is acutely aware of systemic inequalities and dedicates her life to defending vulnerable children. She often puts her emotional energy into saving teenagers who lack traditional family support.

Bashkim's gentle mother, an Albanian immigrant who works in the family's ice cream truck. She misses her homeland and tries to create a nurturing environment for her children, despite suffering under her husband's controlling behavior.

Bashkim's father, an Albanian immigrant who spent nineteen years as a political prisoner before coming to America. He is rigidly patriarchal, mistrusts American institutions, and exerts a toxic, explosive control over his wife and children.

Avis and Jim's son, a twenty-seven-year-old Iraq war veteran. Once a sweet boy, he transformed into a hardened soldier during his tours. He struggles to adjust to civilian life and his new job as a police officer, exhibiting signs of unchecked trauma that deeply worry his mother.

Avis's husband of twenty-nine years, whose sudden admission of infidelity upends their marriage. Though he provided Avis with the stability she lacked in childhood, he handles the end of their relationship with a cold directness.

Luis's loving grandmother, Graciela, who raised him after his parents were out of the picture. She is a grounding, fiercely supportive presence in his life as he undergoes physical and emotional rehabilitation.

A patient and gentle doctor working with Luis at the rehabilitation hospital. His emotion-focused approach to healing directly challenges Luis's hardened soldier mentality, guiding the young veteran toward true recovery.

Nate's quiet, timid wife. She is visibly fearful and increasingly subjected to Nate's post-war aggression, often relying on Avis for comfort but remaining hesitant to leave the marriage.

Avis and Rodney's mother. An irresponsible, neglectful woman who subjected her children to transient living and dangerous boyfriends, serving as the cautionary example Avis strove to avoid.

Avis's younger brother. A recovering addict who has been wheelchair-bound since age nineteen, he shares a traumatic past with Avis and finds simple joy in extravagant Christmas decorations.

Bashkim's Australian teacher. She maintains an organized, disciplined classroom that Bashkim finds comforting, and she initiates the pen-pal project with American soldiers.

The principal at Orson Hulet Elementary School. She is perceptive and compassionate, providing Bashkim with a safe space in her office and gently managing his complicated correspondence.

Roberta's husband, who occasionally worries that his wife becomes too personally invested and over-exerted by her emotionally taxing advocacy work.

Luis's best friend and fellow soldier in Iraq, a soldier whose tragic death in battle deeply haunts Luis and fuels his survivor's guilt.

Bashkim's younger sister. As a baby, she is shielded from some of the family's immediate stress, but her well-being remains a primary concern for Bashkim and Nene.

Avis and Jim's firstborn daughter who died suddenly as an infant. Her memory remains a profound source of both joy and lasting grief for Avis.

A former foster youth whom Roberta advocated for. Now a successful young mother, she represents the hope and tangible success of Roberta's exhausting social work.

Roberta's coworker and a fellow case manager. She handles the bureaucratic realities of the foster care system, often reminding Roberta of the system's strict limitations.

Bashkim's foster mother. She is kind and experienced with the foster system, doing her best to comfort Bashkim during his emotional turmoil.

A boy living in the same foster home as Bashkim. He is friendly and helps Bashkim adjust to the busy environment of the foster house.

Jim's younger coworker. Her affair with Jim serves as the catalyst for the end of Avis's long marriage.

Luis's estranged uncle on his father's side. He brings a family heirloom to the hospital, introducing new questions about Luis's hidden family history.