Genre: Realistic Drama

CHARACTER: Naomi

The eldest of three sisters. At eighteen years old, she’s much older than her siblings. Her father died shortly after the youngest sister was born, but he was a good father, and she has fond memories of him.

Because of her mother’s mental illness and substance abuse, Naomi runs the household, cooks, cleans, looks after her young sisters, and makes sure their mom has what she needs. She’s shouldered that responsibility since before her father died, and expects to do so for the rest of her life.

Personality:

Naomi is responsible and dependable. She’s always been that way, but that part of her personality grew several years ago when her mom’s mental health began declining.

She is highly faithful to her Christian religion and her god. That’s one reason she’s so responsible; besides the fact that it’s a part of who she naturally is, she sees it as a way to honor her god. She clings to her religion not only because she’s a believer but also because it’s the only thing that gives her a real sense of comfort and hope.

After her religious beliefs, family is the most important thing in her life. She’ll sacrifice anything for her family, short of doing anything illegal.

She’s in control of herself, mature for her age, reserved, sensible, and emotionally intelligent, but of average intelligence in other areas.

She isn’t egotistical or prideful. She isn’t ashamed of her family’s living conditions or poverty or her mom’s health issues. She doesn’t worry about what others think of her but tries not to burden or bother anyone.

She has friends but doesn’t hang out with them outside of school. She also doesn’t date and doesn’t allow herself to entertain the idea of having a boyfriend. She doesn’t want anything to take her attention away from her family during this difficult time.

Because of her religious beliefs, the one thing she’s ashamed of is her strong sex drive. She’s vocal about her religion in school, so she doesn’t dare talk to her friends or a counselor about the urges, although the desires make her feel disgusted with herself. However, she trusted Pastor Rob and grew to think of him as a grandfather figure in her family’s life, so she confided in him. She was so upset with herself over the desires that she had to confess them to someone, and she saw him as the only option.

Due to her mom’s condition, the family gets a small amount of government assistance, but it isn’t enough to cover their needs. However, Naomi hasn’t reached out to others for help. She’s aware of her mom’s fragile pride and doesn’t want to hurt her. She also doesn’t want to embarrass the middle sister, Nancy, so she hasn’t told anyone about their living situation. Pastor Rob knows because they started attending his church just before Naomi’s father died. After he died, Naomi decided to tell the pastor about their situation because he was always eager to help people in need, and her father had trusted him.

Way of Speaking:

Normal modern USA English with a slight southeastern accent. She says “y’all” and “-in’” instead of “-ing” (For example: “Are y’all goin’?”). Shortened words such as “gotta,” “gonna,” “oughta.” Calls their mom “Mom.”

Appearance:

She’s a modest young woman. She wears clothing that doesn’t accentuate her curves. Other than that, her appearance isn’t described.

CHARACTER: Nancy

The sassy twelve-year-old and middle child. Because she was the pampered baby for a few years before the little sister was born, she overflows with confidence. Although she knows when to hold her tongue, when the opportunity arises, she speaks her mind bluntly, without concern for anyone’s feelings. The only exception is her mom; she’s always careful not to upset her.

Nancy isn’t a bad child or a hurtful person. She just expects things to be done a certain way. Almost anyone who doesn’t fall in line will be bluntly corrected with her matter-of-fact logic.

She’s surprisingly mature for a twelve-year-old. She helps take care of the youngest sister when Naomi isn’t around. She helps with chores (but only when asked to). Although self-centered, she isn’t short-tempered. Even when she doesn’t get her way, she won’t scream, cry, or become violent, but she might pout, scold, complain, or criticize.

She speaks up for herself and doesn’t let anyone walk on her. However, if she recognizes someone’s authority (her mom, Naomi, a teacher, etc.), she’ll obey them. She’s very reasonable for her age.

Way of Speaking:
Same as Naomi’s, but with a twelve-year-old’s vocabulary and much blunter and sassier.

Appearance:
Not described.

CHARACTER: Nellie

The youngest of the three sisters. A sweet little five-year-old with a heart full of love. She loves her sisters and mom very much. She doesn’t really understand the family’s situation, just that their mom is ill and sad. She wants her family to be happy, and she tries in her way to help with that, but because she’s so young, there isn’t much she can do.

She’s much timider than Nancy or Naomi. She lacks confidence because of her age and possibly because of how big Nancy’s personality is. But she likes herself and loves her family. She’s a happy and well-adjusted child because everyone, even her mom, tries to be sweet to her.

She’ll stand up for herself when it’s necessary if she feels safe enough to do so. For example, she can stand up to Pastor Rob in the story because she knows Naomi will inform him that she permitted Nellie to sit in the front seat. But if Naomi hadn’t given permission, Nellie would have quietly let Naomi have the seat after Rob spoke up.

Way of Speaking:
Same as Naomi’s, but with a five-year-old’s vocabulary and much sweeter. Calls their mom “Momma.”

Appearance:
Not described, except that she often carries a stuffed toy rabbit.

CHARACTER: Their Mom (Unnamed)

A woman with a horribly difficult upbringing. Mother to the three sisters. Her age isn’t mentioned, but she’s probably in her mid to late forties. She loves her two younger daughters, especially Nellie, the youngest.

She holds a grudge against Naomi. The resentment seems to result from her mental illness because it showed up when the illness started and grew in intensity as the condition got worse. She never told Naomi exactly why she resents her. She might not know the reason, herself. All of this started before her devoted and loving husband died.

She’s clinically depressed, among other things, and addicted to sleeping pills. She also has some physical ailments. She’s on a few medications. She doesn’t take care of her health. She stays shut in her bedroom all the time and neglects her children. She loves the two younger ones in her way, although she’s always reclusive and neglectful.

Way of Speaking:
Same as Naomi’s but short and straightforward. Always gentle towards Nellie, neutral towards Nancy, and mean and aggressive toward Naomi.

Appearance:
Not described.

CHARACTER: Pastor Rob Roma

An insane pervert in his early sixties. He owns a ramshackle inn on a popular tourist beach. Although not ordained, he holds a church service in the inn’s common room on Sundays. He’s devoted to and vocal about his Christian faith. Therefore, most of his friends and acquaintances call him “Pastor Rob.”

He’s charitable and giving. He truly enjoys helping people in the name of his god. But, unfortunately, he also has some dark secrets.

He was in the military during one of the more gruesome wars. The experiences left his mind twisted, but he never realized he had a problem, so he never got treatment for the insanity. He developed a fascination with the cruel side of human nature: war crimes, mutilation, assault, and so forth.

For business and personal reasons, when he got out of the service, he studied various ways to manipulate other people. He isn’t very good at it, but he thinks he is. He often gets what he wants simply because people trust him, not because he manipulated them successfully. But if he can get someone when they’re desperate, his methods can work. This is what he secretly does to female drug addicts that he allows to stay at his inn for reduced rates, but only his victims know this.

The man has always been a pervert. Although he’s married and supposed to be a pious man, he openly ogles women. Nobody says anything about it because they respect him for his devotion to the faith. On top of that, he acts harmless, so they just ignore the staring.

He’s also insane. He has “visions” that he thinks come from his god, but they’re actually just his crazy brain giving him permission to take what he wants. He’s an excellent liar because he often believes his own lies.

Way of Speaking:
Normal modern USA English with a very slight New York City accent. His words aren’t clipped like Naomi’s. He says “going to,” “ought to,” etc., and he never says “y’all.” Like a cheerful grandfather, he says silly phrases such as “Howdy-ho, kidderoos!” He didn’t attend college, and he isn’t very intelligent, so his words are never big or academic.

He often addresses young women he knows as “Sweetie.”

Appearance:
Short, obese, round, hairy, ugly, and smelly. He has fat, hairy sausage fingers and a bulbous, misshapen nose. His eyes are veiny with yellowing whites. They bug out of his skull when he’s excited or angry.