Unsheltered

Christopher Hawk is the curator of the Vineland Historical Society. A diminutive and serious man, Christopher helps Willa research possible prior inhabitants of her house—including Thatcher Greenwood and Mary Treat—in the hopes of securing a historical preservation grant.

Jorge is a young Puerto Rican American whose family lives next to Willa and Iano’s house in Vineland. A resourceful car mechanic, Jorge cares deeply for his community. He ends up dating Tig and helps care for Dusty and Nick.

Polly is Rose’s 12-year-old sister, Aurelia’s daughter, and Thatcher’s sister-in-law. Unlike her mother and sister, Polly is forthright and unafraid to break social custom. She helps Thatcher prepare for his debate against Cutler and Landis on the validity of Darwinism.

Dreama is Willa’s aunt who leaves behind her the crumbling house in Vineland after she dies within a week of Darcie, her twin sister.

Darcie is Willa’s mother, who died recently within a week of her twin sister, Dreama. Darcie was Willa’s primary confidante, and in her absence, Willa feels adrift and alone.

Helene is Zeke’s partner and Dusty’s mother. Helene stopped taking her depression medication during her pregnancy and dies by suicide shortly after Dusty’s birth. Without Helene’s significant income, Zeke must give up his Boston apartment and move to New Jersey with Willa and Iano.

Guenevere is one of Iano’s political science students who shows up at Willa’s house early one morning, seemingly in an attempt to seduce him. Willa lectures her about the qualities of lasting relationships.

The Bullhorn is a conservative politician who makes outrageous and intentionally controversial claims. Nick admires the Bullhorn, while Willa is appalled by how many Americans support him in the presidential race.

Willis Chester is one of Thatcher Greenwood’s high school students in Vineland. At 15, Willis drops out of school to work full time and marry Selma. He witnesses Landis shoot Carruth.

Mrs. Carruth is the wife of Uri Carruth, with whom she shares five children. Thatcher visits Mrs. Carruth and her family after Landis shoots Uri.

Peakesbury is the architectural expert who estimates Willa’s house was built in 1880, five years after Thatcher Greenwood lived in Vineland.

Aristóteles (Toto) is Tig’s ex-boyfriend, whom she met in Cuba. Toto’s family welcomed Tig and made her feel loved. Willa thinks of Toto as Tig’s first true heartbreak.

Rose’s father is Aurelia’s late husband and the father of her two daughters, Rose and Polly. Rose’s father designed their Vineland house and bears the blame for its instability. His death forced the family to abandon their home and move to Boston for many years.

Louise Dunwiddie is a former schoolteacher acquainted with Thatcher Greenwood. Knowing the wealthy Dunwiddies own horses, Thatcher orchestrates a friendship between Louise and Rose, which ultimately backfires when Rose is drawn into her new, wealthy friends’ way of life, which alienates Thatcher.