Benjamin Wilf
Benjamin Wilf is the father of two teenage children, Sarah and Theo, and the husband of a woman with advanced dementia. He is an accomplished doctor and a caring father who is deeply affected by the tragic car accident that his children were in. After the accident, Benjamin is unable to face the truth of what happened and attempts to bury the incident, creating a rift between him and his children. Benjamin is a man of deep faith and a strong belief in the interconnectedness of life. He believes that “past, present, and future are a part of this pattern; that our lives intersect for fractions of seconds that are years, centuries, millennia; that nothing ever vanishes.”
Benjamin is also portrayed as a generous and compassionate person, particularly towards Waldo Shenkman, the son of the neighbors across the street. Benjamin takes an interest in Waldo and offers him guidance and support when nobody else does, becoming like a second father to him. He allows Waldo to pursue his passion for astronomy, offering him access to his telescope, and reassuring him that he is capable of greatness. Throughout the novel, Benjamin is presented as a character who is capable of redemption and growth. Despite his initial refusal to recognize the tragedy of the accident, he eventually rises to the occasion, accepting his responsibility and working to make up for his mistakes. He finds the strength to forgive himself, and in the process, he is able to build bridges with his children.
Theo Wilf
Theo Wilf is a 15-year-old boy and the son of Ben and Mimi Wilf. Theo is portrayed as a kind and responsible teenager who is deeply affected by the tragic car accident he is involved in. He is the second child of the Wilf family and is particularly close to his sister Sarah. He is an intelligent, hardworking student and is eager to please his parents. He is also a talented soccer player who has aspirations of playing at the college level. Despite this, Theo is haunted by the accident and his family’s secrets, making it difficult for him to move on with his life. He is determined to make things right and to protect his family from the truth, but this often puts him at odds with his sister and parents.
Sarah Wilf
Sarah Wilf is a 17-year-old girl living in Avalon, a New York suburb, in 1985. Sarah is a good girl who is described as “innocent” and “sweet.” She has been living with her single father, Ben since her mother passed away when she was a child. Sarah is a loyal and supportive sister to her younger brother Theo and she is also a devoted daughter to her father. She is sensitive, caring, and empathetic. She is also brave and strong and demonstrates resilience in the face of tragedy. Despite the trauma of the car accident, Sarah is determined to make the best of her life and she is able to forge meaningful relationships with others.
Mimi Wilf
Mimi Wilf is the wife of Dr. Benjamin Wilf and the mother of Sarah and Theo. She is a kind, attentive mother and wife who loves her family and is devoted to them. She is portrayed as a strong and resilient woman who is able to cope with the tragedy of the car accident that takes place at the beginning of the novel. She is also a fiercely loyal friend and neighbor, as seen in her relationship with the Shenkmans. In her later years, Mimi is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which leads to her deterioration. Despite this, she retains her kindness, love, and resilience, and remains a positive presence in the novel. Mimi also has a great sense of humor and is often seen making witty comments and jokes. Despite her age, Mimi is still an active member of the community, and she frequently attends community events and gatherings. Mimi is also an avid reader and loves to spend time in her garden, tending to her flowers and vegetables.
Misty Zimmerman
Misty Zimmerman is a teenage girl from Avalon, a small town in New York, who is friends with Theo Wilf and Sarah Wilf. Misty is a kind and compassionate person who loves animals and was an active member of the local animal shelter. She is a shy, introverted girl who is often overlooked by her peers and is considered to be a bit of an outsider. Misty is also a bit of a rebellious spirit and loves to take risks, which leads her to take Theo and Sarah on a joyride in a car, leading to a fatal accident. Misty is the one in the passenger seat when the fatal accident happens in 1985, and her death catalyzes the events that unfold in the book. She is the one who encourages Theo to take risks, to be brave and daring, and her death serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of living in the moment.
Waldo Shenkman
Waldo Shenkman is a lonely boy living in Wilf's neighborhood. He is a gifted and intelligent young man, with a deep interest in astronomy and the stars. He is misunderstood by his family and peers, which leads him to be a bit rebellious and to make poor decisions. He is also very sensitive and easily hurt, which further contributes to his feelings of loneliness and isolation. Waldo’s life is filled with turmoil due to his father’s strict disciplinary methods. Waldo’s fear and frustrations are captured in vivid detail when he runs away from home after being punished by his father. Despite his difficult home life, Waldo is able to find solace in his friendship with Dr. Benjamin Wilf, a neighbor across the street, who has a deep understanding of Waldo’s passion for astronomy.
Mr. Shenkman
Mr. Shenkman is Waldo’s father. He is a man trying to do the best he can for his family, who is also struggling with feelings of inadequacy and loneliness. He is a successful lawyer, yet he feels like an imposter in his own life and is struggling to connect with his son, Waldo. He is a loving husband, yet his wife and son feel disconnected from him. He is a devoted father, yet he is often too harsh and unforgiving when disciplining his son. Mr. Shenkman is a man of strong convictions and a strict moral code, yet he is often too stubborn and inflexible, which leads to conflicts between him and his family. He is a strong-willed man, yet he is also vulnerable and has moments of doubt and insecurity.
