Ajay

Ajay Mishra is the narrator of the story as he tells how his family went from living in Delhi, India, in 1978 to living in Metuchen, New Jersey in present day. He tells the story from an adult perspective, but begins the tale when he is 8 years old. Since Ajay is the main character, it is his character arch the reader will most notice. When Ajay begins the story, he is an 8-year-old boy living in his brother's shadow. Their parents treat Birju as the smart son and Ajay as just another son. He has friends in Delhi, India, and leaves with some sadness, but ultimately, he is looking forward to living in America.

Almost two years after moving to America, Birju has an accident at his aunt's apartment complex pool. The incident changes the course of the Mishra family, including Ajay's personal evolution. While visiting his aunt in...