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Laura Schroff

This author and central narrator in the book was a 35-year-old ad executive when she first met an 11-year-old panhandler and befriended him.

Maurice Mazyck

This central figure in the book was 11 years old and panhandling on the streets of New York when he met and later befriended an older white woman who would become not only a friend but a mother-figure and mentor.

Darcella

This mother of the central boy in the book was uncommonly pretty. She was also an addict, first to heroin, and then to crack cocaine. She died from complications stemming from HIV.

Morris

This father of the central boy in the narrative was a gang member and disappeared from his son's life at a young age. He later died of AIDS.

Nunzie

This father of the author's was an abusive alcoholic with whom she cut all ties later in her life.

Marie

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