New Jersey

The entirety of the story takes place in the state of New Jersey, either in or near the town of Sayreville. The town or city in which the protagonist lives is not explicitly stated, but it is proximate to the city of Paterson, which is located about 20 miles northwest of New York City. Based upon the descriptions given by the protagonist, Beto and the protagonist appear to live in a relatively impoverished neighborhood in New Jersey.

The Protagonist’s Home

The protagonist lives with his mother in a home in New Jersey. The protagonist’s father used to live with them, but he eventually left and moved to Florida, where he lives with another woman. This home is the primary setting for the relationship between the protagonist and his mother, as the story depicts them cohabitating sometimes in peace, sometimes in tension.

The Mall

The protagonist recalls...