Sam Hughes

Sam is the protagonist. She is an eighteen year-old girl who has just graduated high school. She wants to leave Hopewell, but feels she must sort out who her father was and what is wrong with her uncle Emmett before she can leave. She loves music—namely the Beatles and Bruce Springsteen—and running, and views having a car as her ticket to freedom.

Emmett Smith

Emmett is Sam’s uncle and Sam’s mother’s brother. Emmett lives in his sister’s house with his niece, Sam. He has not had a job since he returned from the war 14 years ago. He has really bad acne and suffers from PTSD. Every morning he goes to McDonalds and has breakfast with the other vets in town.

Irene

Irene is Sam’s mother and Emmett’s sister. She recently has married a wealthy man and moved to Lexington...