Seattle, Present Day

The beginning and end of the novel takes place in Seattle in the present day, where Zits lives in the foster care system. For the most part, Zits experiences Seattle to be a cruel and unforgiving place, where money and resources are hoarded by the wealthy, including several of his own foster parents. However, Seattle is ultimately where Zits finds redemption when he is ultimately taken in by a generous foster family.

Tacoma, Present Day

Zits finds himself in present-day Tacoma when he occupies the mind and body of his father, in the last segment of his mystical journey before returning to his own life. Like the neighboring city of Seattle, Tacoma does not provide a stable environment or society for Zits' father to recover from the emotional wounds of his childhood. Also, Tacoma's proximity to Seattle, combined with Zits' father carrying a picture of Zits...