Who is Valerie?

Valerie was Ryan's mom. She had a difficult life: When she was sent to Korea for the military, her husband, Cecil, cheated on her. She divorced him. When she came back to the United States, she often fought with her kids. Eventually, Ryan threatened her life.

Even though Valerie and Ryan fought with each other, she still defended him when they were in a difficult neighborhood with drug trading.

She eventually remarried and bought a house. She hoped it would be a place for her grandchildren to enjoy.