Noelle

Noelle is one of the novel's primary characters. She is a member of the Ventura family. Her mother is Lacey May. Her father is Robbie. Her stepfather is Hank, and her sisters are Margarita and Diane. As a child, Noelle grows up in an undisclosed town in North Carolina. She lives with her sisters and mother until the family moves in with Hank. Throughout her childhood, Noelle is headstrong and independent. She is often disappointed by her father, frustrated with her stepfather, and angry with her mother. She cannot wait for the day that she can move away and start a new life away from her family.

In order to escape her familial troubles, Noelle spends time with her boyfriend, Duke, drinking and partying. When Noelle gets pregnant, she begs her mother's friend, Ruth, for help. After she gets an abortion, Noelle distances herself even more from her...