Gloria Ramírez

Gloria Ramírez, or Glory, is one of the protagonists of the novel. She is the daughter of Alma Ramírez and the niece of Victor Ramírez. Though Glory was born in the United States, her family fled Mexico before her birth and struggled to survive and make a life for themselves in Odessa, Texas. When Gloria is 14 years old, her relationship with Alma grows volatile. She dislikes her mother's cautiousness, and is frustrated by feelings of powerlessness and entrapment.

On Valentine's Day, after an argument with her mother, Gloria flees the house and spends the evening at Sonic. When Dale Strickland, an attractive young man, invites her to spend the evening with him, Gloria accepts. However, Dale becomes intoxicated, aggressive, and violent. He rapes and beats Gloria. In the morning, she determines never to be called by her given name again, giving herself the...