Apartment Complex

The main setting of the novel is Michael’s apartment complex, a space defined by community and care. It provides a grounded, familiar environment where Michael’s anxieties and sense of responsibility play out, but it is also a place of support and connection. Ridge, arriving from the future, fits into this network of care, becoming temporarily “adopted” into Michael’s world through his relationships with Gibby, Mr. Mosley, and Gloria. The apartment complex highlights the importance of human connection and shows that safety and growth come not from control or preparation, but from the people around us.

Michael’s Apartment

Michael’s apartment, shared with his mom, functions as his personal haven: a place of safety and routine where he can manage his fears, particularly through his Y2K stockpile. It represents comfort and protection from the uncertainties of the outside world, reflecting his desire for...