Narrator
The Narrator tells the story of Mary Anne and David Parkin. He and his family lived in the Parkin mansion with Mary Anne shortly before her death.
Mary Anne Parkin
Mary Anne Parkin is the wife of David Parkin. She leaves her husband twenty years after the death of their child because she cannot stand the lack of intimacy in their marriage. She feels that her husband keeps her at a distance, and she cannot stay in a house where she feels no love.
David Parkin
David Parkin is a wealthy businessman who suffers with the feeling of abandonment. His mother left he and his father when David was six. His daughter died at the age of three and his wife leaves him. This sends him on a journey to find his mother and discover why she did not love him. His feelings of loss are assuaged on his journey and he knows he must change if he wants his wife to return to him.
Lawrence Flake
Lawrence Flake is a horologist that is now blind and ill. He believes that he is dying. Katherine takes him food every day. While David is in Chicago, Lawrence suffers a stroke and cannot speak. David and Katherine take care of him until his death. He is buried in the cemetery near the Parkin’s plots, but is later dug up and burned by Ku Klux Klan members.
Katherine
Katherine is David and Mary Anne’s housekeeper and their friend. She helps David when Mary Anne leaves and gives him the letter that she believes his mother left for him at Andrea’s grave.
Victoria Piper
Victoria Piper is a socialite in Salt Lake City. David does not care for her but must associate with her because of her importance in Salt Lake City society.
Dierdre Williams
Dierdre Williams is the niece of Victoria Piper. She falls in love with David even though he is many years older than her. She wants him to choose her over his wife. She is disappointed when he chooses his wife.
Gibbs
Gibbs is David Parkin’s best friend. He knew him in California and came to Salt Lake City with him. He helps run David’s company.
Elaine
Elaine is the girlfriend of Gibbs and becomes his wife. They get married at the Parkin’s home.
Rosalyn King
Rosalyn King is the mother of David Parkin. She abandons her family when her son is six years old. She wants to find fame as an actress. David believes that she committed suicide. Mary Anne talks to Rosalyn King at the grave of David Parkin after his funeral.
Sophia
Sophia is the daughter of Lawrence Flake. Her mother was white so Lawrence could not be with her. He gave up his wife and daughter so that she would not grow up with the stigma of being an African American in a society where prejudice was rampant.
