“McKinney High Class of 1986” is series that will consist of seven or eight books (one might be a stand alone) that feature a group of friends that attend the McKinney High School junior prom in 1985. The couples are Chris and Rhonda; Kim and Carl; James and Sally; Michelle and Joey; Darlene and Charlie; and Traci and Doug. Ten of these friends are featured in the series. Charlie and Joey are not featured, as they are not main characters, but they do add a lot to the development of the series. Each book in the series contains a scene that takes place at the prom and the afterparty. Each of the friends has a significant event or insight occur at the prom that follows them in some way for the rest of their lives. Some are good, some are very good, and some, not so good. So who are these friends? I will provide character synopses below, while trying very hard to not contain any spoilers!

Sally Bachman

Sally Bachman was born on August 1, 1968. She is the youngest of 3 children, and she has an infant niece named Josie. She is very close to her older sister but struggles with finding common ground with her brother. She loves cats, Rock and Roll, New Wave, writing, and especially the Boston Red Sox. She is majorly into all Boston sports. Sally decided to leave her friends at public school and go to a private school sophomore year to try to help her to do better in her classes. But things didn’t go too well there. She didn’t fit in with any of her new classmates She returns to public school for her junior year, much to the delight of her best friend Michelle and her other friends from Randall Junior High, Darlene and Kim. The first person she sees at McKinney High is Jamie Newell from the group of bad boys she knew back at Randall. Sally has always had a soft spot for Jamie and his friends, and is happy to see him, especially when she gets lost in the hallways of her new school. Little does she know that this chance encounter is not only going to change her expectations for her junior year, but most likely far beyond.

Michelle Gorman

Michelle Gorman is Sally’s best friend. She was born on St. Patrick’s Day, and already had a full head of flaming red hair at birth. She and Sally met on the first day of junior high in art class and bonded over their love of New Wave music and camp. Michelle is very petite, and she is very self-conscious about her size. When she realized there was no magic serum to help her grow, she settled on learning to be strong in every sense of the word. She is fiercely loyal to her friends, and she loves a good tidbit of gossip, especially from her friend Darlene. Michelle is smart and clever, and she would go to the end of the world to protect her older sister, who was born with an intellectual disability. She also has identical twin brothers, who drive her nuts. When she meets Joey junior year, her hopes go up that things are going to change for her. Things do change, but not always in the direction she’s hoping for. Michelle spends much of her high school and college years trying to figure out what she wants out of life and relationships. And she might have finally find what she’s looking for. Or has she?

James (Jamie) Newell

Introducing James Newell. He was born on January 12, 1968. He is the youngest of 3 children. His sister is a genius and his brother is a major troublemaker. James is still trying to figure out where he fits in with his family. His best friend, Pete goes to a different high school, but he still has his close friends Chris and Carl, cousins from a famous Eastboro family. James, Pete, Chris, and Carl are former bad boys who called themselves a “posse,” but they’ve cleaned up their act. James loves to play the guitar, and enjoys being able to chill at home when he’s not with his friends. He works at an Italian restaurant as a dishwasher, and he enjoys working with the owner, Lou, sort for Luigi. He is not expecting to see Sally Bachman at his school on the first day of junior year. He is also not expecting how he will feel when he first lays eyes on her. She used to be a scrawny, awkward kid who was fun to talk to before class, but she has really changed. These changes have not been lost on James.

Kim Drake

Kim was born on February 28, 1968 to a single mom. She and her mother are very close. Kim was an only child until she was seven and she gained a new father, step-siblings, then baby half-siblings. Kim has a lot of confidence, and has been the leader of her friend group since second grade, when the social structure changed between boys and girls, and she lost her best friend, Carl. She can at times be bossy and directive. Kim’s greatest gift is her ability to tell a captivating story. Her friends all stop what they are doing to listen. Kim is very petite and very pretty. She is a good schemer, and knows what she wants. But sometimes, she doesn’t know what to do once she gets it. Her closest friends are Darlene Feinman, who she has known since birth, and Michelle Gorman. The three of them have been together since kindergarten, and have forged a tight bond. They become even closer after Kim experiences a horrible tragedy at age 10. She depends on her friends and her strength to get her through. Kim wants to go places in life, and she will. She will go a lot of places, and learn a lot. She just needs to figure out how Carl fits into her plans.

Carl Bishop

Carl was born on September 15, 1968. He is the youngest of all of the friends. Carl is part of a famous Eastboro, Massachusetts family, which sometimes makes things easier, sometimes harder. Carl is very close with his cousin, Chris Mahoney. They have been together since birth, and all of their family pictures include them both. Carl easily fits into the role of Chris’s lieutenant in their bad boy “posse,” a role he enjoys. Carl has an older brother who he hardly sees, and a mother who is bitter and angry. His father is around sometimes, when he feels like it. Carl learns to fend for himself and his orange tabby cat, Tiger. Carl sometimes appears helpless and dependent on his cousin, but he has a strength that no one can see, a strength that will serve him going forward in life. Carl is very close to his grandmother, Gram Missy, one of two identical twins that are a large part of his and Chris’s life. Gram Missy will help to guide him and try to make the path easier for him, since no one else seems able or up to that task. Carl will learn great lessons about love and loyalty, and about sometimes having to walk away from your old self to find your true self. Eventually, Carl will learn a secret that his family has kept from him for years, and he will need to figure out whether or not it changes his outlook on life. One thing would make everything easier for Carl. He just needs to figure out how to tell Kim Drake how he truly feels about her, without both of them ending up getting hurt.

Chris Mahoney

Chris Mahoney was born on March 15, 1968. If you look back, you will see that Chris, grandson of Gram Cissy, and his cousin Carl look an awful lot alike. This is not by mistake. They are second cousins, but there is a good reason that they look so much alike, but not completely alike. There is one big difference in their appearance. Chris has always been charismatic and charming, and he has a tremendous memory for names and events. His extended family, which is very large, all adore him, because he takes time to get to know them, remember important details, and question them about things the next time he sees them. Chris is the natural leader of his group of friends, starting in elementary school. They all follow him and respond to his commands. His bond with his “posse” grows stronger each year, and they all tend to get in trouble together all the time. But Chris can charm himself out of most situations, since everyone likes him. But the truth is, not everyone likes Chris. There is actually one person in his circle who not only dislikes him, but also blames him for everything that has gone wrong in her life for years. And this person is about to make things difficult for Chris, and change the dynamic between him and his cousin and best friend, Carl forever. When this happens, Chris will discover that maybe he hasn’t been quite as much in control of what was going on in his life for a very long time. Then when something totally unexpected happens senior year, Chris completely loses his confidence, and trust in love. He meanders through relationships, hoping to find someone that makes him feel safe and whole. When he finally finds someone who might fit that bill, he might to the exact opposite of what it would take to make him happy forever.

Traci Walsh

I don’t think authors are supposed to have favorite characters, but I will admit, if I had one, it would be Traci. Traci is a very, very minor character in “May I Have Your Attention Please.” She has one or two lines in two scenes, and if you blink, you’ll miss her. She shows up a bit more in book 2, even more in book 3, and by the time you get to book 4, she is a big-time major character. Traci’s family moves around a lot. She has not been able to settle down in one place and keep the same group of friends, even. When they finally move to Eastboro, Traci is hopeful that she can stay there until she graduates. Especially after she meets Doug O’Leary. Doug changes everything for Traci. Traci has a special gift-she can sense what’s going on with people, even before they do. But for some reason, Doug is a mystery to her, and she would love to be able to solve it. But then, her parents tell her the worst news ever. They are moving again. And this time, far away. Traci will have to say goodbye to the best friends she’s ever had, and maybe to Doug as well. Along the line, Traci makes some very important discoveries about herself that may change her life, and her ability to live happily ever after. Once the family secrets are revealed, Traci does the best she can to make the most of the information she has. And she learns that sometimes, distance only makes the heart grow fonder when you have the best friends in the world.

Doug O’Leary

Doug was born to parents who were still in high school, and ends up being raised by very kind and loving grandparents. He grows up with very good friends, and experiences the best things life has to offer. Only once and a while, his mother shows up, wreaking havoc on his life. His father isn’t much better. Sometimes, Doug has occasion to be worried that he will be forced to live with one of his absentee parents, but he knows his grandparents would fight tooth and nail to keep him safe and secure. Doug makes friends with the new kid in tenth grade, Bobby Walsh, and not long after that, he gets his first glance at Bobby’s younger sister, Traci. One look is all it takes. Doug becomes fascinated with Traci and tries to find ways to be around her, to get to know her. It all comes together when Traci miraculously invites Doug to the prom, and things only get better from there. Until Traci announces she is moving to Detroit, and all their plans are instantly uprooted. Doug starts college on a full ride scholarship, studying science, specifically the weather, and he has to figure out what he is going to do about his relationship, and his family at home. Doug wants a happy ending, and he’ll work hard to get one, but not everything always ends on a positive note. But maybe happiness can come along again, and new bonds can be forged, with the most unexpected people.

Darlene Feinman

Darlene and Kim Drake have known each other since they were babies. Their mothers are best friends. They were pretty much inseparable as preschoolers. They started kindergarten together, and were placed in different classes. Darlene made a new friend, Michelle, and she felt loved and accepted by Michelle. Over the years, things change between the three girls, and the power differential shifts. Darlene has to make some decisions based on loyalty and making sure that she makes everyone happy. But Darlene has a secret. Everything is really not as wonderful as she leads everyone, including her own mother, to believe. The world is wearing Darlene down, but damn if she ever lets anyone in on what’s going on inside her head. She divides her time between the homes of her mother, who is supportive and giving but oblivious to what is going on, and her father, who is demanding and critical of her every move. She is an only child, so she is often left to her own devises, with her own thoughts. She develops a set of coping skills to help her get through, but sometimes, they just make things worse. As Darlene navigates life in high school, college, and beyond, she must figure things out, and make some major changes, before things go drastically wrong. She feels a sense of loyalty to her friends, and she must honor her promise to one of them that she will do whatever it takes to stay safe. Then she meets someone, and it is like she is hit by lightning. She is finally at a place in her life where she feels she can make good decision, but sometimes, emotions make it impossible to think straight. She will again turn to her friends for advice. Maybe it’s never too late to find happiness in a world that has treated you cruelly in the past.

Rhonda Jenkins

Rhonda was the prettiest, most popular girl in her junior high. She developed early, and boys started to notice her. She finally focused her attention on one lucky boy, only to find herself feeling forced to break away from him in high school. Rhonda soon finds new love with Chris Mahoney. They had flirted with each other back in junior high, but Rhonda chose someone else. Now, they are hot and heavy, and falling in love. The only problem is, Rhonda knows that their relationship is not built on honest intentions, and knowing this is killing her. She finds herself getting closer and closer to Chris, which is confusing and does not serve her true purpose. Rhonda is seeking revenge. Not on Chris. On someone in his circle. The problem? This person doesn’t even know she did anything that might have hurt Rhonda in the first place. When the quest for revenge blows up in her face, Rhonda must make a decision that will not only break her own heart, but also that of the boy she has fallen in love with. But deep down inside, she knows it’s the right thing to do. She only hopes that this decision doesn’t haunt her for the rest of her life. But it might. Rhonda has an older brother and an older stepsister. She lives with her brother, mother, and stepfather, who is basically her father. She hasn’t seen her biological father since she was three and no one knows where he is. But he has been keeping a very big secret. And it’s a secret that will lead Rhonda to a very, very dark place, even following her to college and after. It will lead her to make decisions that are not in her own best interest, and sometimes even in the best interest of the one human on earth that she loves the most. Can she ever reveal her secret to the people in her life that can help her?

ALSO PRESENT AT THE PROM, BUT DON’T HAVE A STARRING ROLE IN SERIES

Charlie Palmer

Charlie is Darlene’s date to the junior prom. Charlie has been Darlene’s crush since tenth grade, and they flirt with each other in the classes they share. Now it is junior year, and Charlie has started to notice Darlene more. He finally takes the dive and talks to her before class, asking her to go skating with him and his friends that weekend. When the weekend comes, they do go skating, but Charlie outlasts Darlene on the ice. They start to date, eventually leading to an invitation to the prom. Charlie thinks everything is going well with Darlene, and that he is totally in control. Sometimes, maybe too much in control. But he doesn’t know that Darlene has other plans, plans that might make him angry. Very angry.

Joey Cafaro

On a skating outing with her friends one cold winter day, Michelle runs into her junior high nemesis, Tommy Griffith, with his football player buddy, Joey Cafaro. Joey is instantly taken with Michelle, even though he can’t really see her through all of her winter accessories. He immediately finds out as much as he can about Michelle from Tommy, and is able to locate Michelle, call her, and ask her out. Things go very nicely for this couple. The only problem? Joey has a dream that he wants to follow, a dream that could take him away from Michelle for a long time. Can their love keep them together? Can Joey give up his dream? Sometimes, it’s really hard to choose, especially when you want both options with all of your heart.

MAIN CHARACTERS NOT AT THE PROM

Stavros Karras

Stavros endured a horrendous loss at a very young age. He had to learn to adjust to go on with his life and help to take care of his infant sister. He has been loved and cared for by his parents, and taught to appreciate kindness and gentle words. But when he experiences another loss as a young adult, he has to learn how to cope. He makes many choices that lead him in a direction that he didn’t originally anticipate. He must use great determination to get himself back on the right path. With the help of his beloved family, he does his best to put the pieces back together. Then, out of nowhere, a new woman falls into his life, and she has had just as many, if not more, challenges than he had. Can Stavros continue to look after his own well-being, while also supporting a wonderful, fragile woman, who might just be the true love of his life?

Pete Cooper

Pete Cooper (on the left) is James’s best friend. They have lived three houses from each other since they were 3. Pete is also the most athletic and most attractive of the friend group. He’s almost 6 feet tall at the start of high school. Pete is devastated when he found out that James is transferring to McKinney High, and they’ll no longer see each other in school every day. But the two boys stay very close and confide in each other often. Pete has a younger sister that he dotes on, and a girlfriend named Carolyn. He still hangs out with his junior high friends on weekends and vacations, even as he makes new friends at Murphy High. He has a secret he needs to tell James about Sally, and although he worries it will cause issues in their relationship, it only brings them closer. Pete then becomes the voice of reason when it comes to James’s relationship struggles. Pete dreams about working in baseball. Not as a player, but somehow as a member of a team, hopefully the Red Sox. He and Carolyn are faced with a decision when it turns out that both of their dreams are incompatible. They know they have to make a choice, but they also know that either option will be painful. Is there love strong enough to keep them together?

Carolyn Wood

Carolyn is starting over. Her best friend Sophia has been sent away suddenly to boarding school across the country, with no chance of coming home for vacations. Carolyn is miserable without her closest and only true friend, but she is shocked to see a handsome boy on the first day of school, especially when she can feel him staring at the back of her head during English class. She is too scared to turn to face him and make a connection. Carolyn is hiding a big secret, and she is terrified that her classmates will find out. But once she and Pete meet, he realizes that there are some things about his own life that might be difficult for him to share with her. They both need to decide at what point they can trust each other to share their most treasured secrets. Once the truth is out, it can’t be untold, and everything could change forever.

Sophia Maxwell

Sophia’s young life has not been easy. Her parents are very strict and suspicious of her actions and she is very restricted. The best thing that ever happened to her was meeting Carolyn Wood in junior high. The two girls became best friends, and did everything together to the exclusion of everyone else. They had to sneak around a lot in order to spend time together, often having to make up stories about studying or doing homework. But when Sophia suddenly gets sent away to boarding school in Washington state after what her parents label a moral infraction, things get much worse. Separated from her best friend and in a dangerous situation, Sophia must make choices that will either save her or put her in even more danger. Her only hope is that Carolyn and her parents came come to her rescue. It’s a risk she’s willing to take.

OTHER SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

Mr. And Mrs. Newell

Howie Newell

Howie is the most tragic figure in the series. Howie is the older brother of James Newell, lead character in “May I Have Your Attention Please,” and also featured in every other McKinney High book. Howie is mainly featured in the first book, but does make guest appearances in others. He is three years older than James, and two years younger than their older sister, Erin. He is the middle child, and he meets all the criteria. He grows up pretty normally, with caring and loving parents, until age twelve, when something very confusing happens to change him. Then Howie falls in with some older kids who start him down the path to trouble. As the years go by, Howie gets in more and more trouble at school and home, much to the dismay of his family. He gets suspended from school often and for stupid reasons, but he is never expelled. He is the reason that James decides to go to McKinney High School rather than Murphy High. James doesn’t want to be classified as being just like his brother. Howie somehow graduates from high school, but no one understands how. Trouble starts again about a year later, when he gets in more trouble at home, and is told he must move out. Howie complies, but he still comes home often to visit, use the washer and dryer, and take food from the fridge. His mother worries about him. James can’t understand him. Does he have enough strength of will to change his life before it’s too late? And how can he tell his family the reason why everything went wrong in the first place?

Erin Newell

Erin is James Newell’s oldest sibling. She is away at college at Brown. She is the “smart one” in the family, and neither James or his brother Howie can compete. Erin would like for her siblings to have more ambition, but she doesn’t push too hard. They think she judges them for their lack of academic prowess, but she really just wants the best for them. She adores her younger brothers, and has fond memories of them as children.

Jack and Phyllis Bachman

Grandma Fran

Grandma Naomi Bachman

Melissa and Cecelia Bishop (Gram Missy and Gram Cissy)

They were born Melissa and Cecelia Farmer, but now they are affectionately known as Gram Missy and Gram Cissy. They are the matriarchs of the biggest and most famous family in all of Eastboro, Massachusetts. They were the daughters of a very well-known and respected leader of the community, Jerome Farmer. They are part of a family of nine children. They both married into a family that was also prolific in the area, the Bishops, and everyone has had many children. You can’t walk down a street in town without running into one of the Grams’ children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews. The Farmer Twins are very strong and opinionated, and fiercely loyal. They look after their family members and make sure they are taken care of in every way, and that they feel as special as they should. They make a point of being present at all the milestones, and they have been the planners of most of the family celebrations. It is unclear where they get the funds, but they never do anything halfway. Their younger family members tend to come to them for advice, and the Grams have seen it all. They know how to point their kin the right direction. The Grams have led charmed lives, but they still have their lot to contend with. No matter how much love they give to their children, sometimes their children are just not open to that love. It’s a very difficult fact to accept, and the Grams will never give up trying. Missy is the grandmother of Carl Bishop, and Cissy is the grandmother of Chris Mahony.

Jack Bishop

Jack Bishop is Gram Missy’s son, and Carl’s father. He is not a hands-on kind of father. As a matter of fact, he’s pretty much a jerk. He is often not home, often for long stretches. Every time Carl sees his father, he has a can or a bottle in his hand, and he is often making insulting or discriminatory statements. Especially toward Carl’s mother. Jack never says the right thing, but he thinks he’s very funny. Carl is not fond of his father. Jack is first cousins with Chris’s mother, Kate, and she is dismayed at how much Jack has changed for the worse over the years.

Rosa Bishop

Rosa is Jack’s wife, and Carl’s mother. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and moved to Eastboro, Massachusetts to marry Jack. She had two children with Jack. No one thinks that Jack and Rosa really care for each other, but they won’t get a divorce. Most think it’s because of Rosa’s religion, but there might be something else to it. Rosa has a group of friends that Carl calls the tias, who come over to the house and cause trouble. Rosa is often gone, probably to her friends’ homes, but Carl doesn’t mind too much. It’s much quieter at home when his parents are not there.

Victoria Lester Drake

Victoria, or Vee to her friends, is Kim Drake’s mother. She had her when she was 19, and unmarried. She raised Kim on her own until she was 7, and then Victoria got married. Victoria has 5 children now, and a happy, but difficult marriage. She is very loving, and takes very good care of her husband and children. She is a constant source of inspiration for Kim, and she is always there for support and advice. Victoria is close with her daughter, and wants her to follow her own dreams, even if those dreams take Kim away from her.

Gerald Drake

Gerald is the husband of Victoria, the father of four other children, and Kim’s adoptive father. He is the closest thing Kim will ever have for a father, and she loves him dearly. Gerald and his first two children had it hard before he met Kim and her mother. They all become an instant family. However, an accident when Kim is 10 changes everything for Gerald and his family. Things will never be the same for any of them. But that doesn’t stop Gerald from being kind, generous, and loving to his wife and Kim. If only he could just remember…

Tami Graham

Kim meets Tami on her first day of school, and they become fast friends. Tami has a lot to offer, including coming up with fun things to do, and introducing Kim to her other friends. Tami quickly becomes one of Kim’s confidants, and she is there for her for support, especially during one of the most challenging times in Kim’s life. Tami lives with her parents, and has a boyfriend named David who works in the town bakery.

Stephanie Gorman

Stephanie is the older sister of Michelle Gorman. She was the first child of the Gorman parents, who were very young at the time of her birth, so they were baffled as to how to care for a child with special needs. They had to learn fast, and in now time, they figured it out, and doted on their daughter. They sent her to a special school where she could learn life skills and make friends. When she turned 18, they assisted her with moving to an independent apartment, where she was able to make new friends, go on outings and trips, and go on dates with men. During all of this, Michelle and Stephanie remained the closest of friends. Michelle would do anything for her sister, and sometimes she had to. Stephanie is thrilled to be included with Michelle and her friends in their activities, and sometimes, even to accept special honors.

Sam and Stevie Gorman

Sam and Stevie are Michelle’s little brothers. They are eerily similar, and sometimes freak Michelle out. They have the whole twin communication going. They are also funny and adventurous. They definitely have fun switching places and tricking their peers and teachers. Hey, not many people can do this, so why not?

Sandra

Sanda is the girlfriend of Michelle’s college roommate, Mara. Michelle really likes Mara, but she is drawn to Sandra, and they become good friends. So it makes sense that Michelle chooses to live with Sandra in the later years of college, and after graduation. Sandra is fun, and she’s a good listener. She sometimes spouts quotes that can be inspirational, just at the right time. She is a fantastic artist, and her goal is to become an art teacher. Too bad she can be a somewhat bossy roommate!

Kathy Marie D’Angelo

Kathy Marie has not been very nice to Sally Bachman. She has done what she can to make her feel bad about her choice to be with James. But of course, it doesn’t work, and this leaves Kathy Marie very frustrated. Kathy Marie is jealous of the fact that Sally got to go to Gearhart Academy, as Kathy Marie thinks she should have been able to go there. She would have appreciated the opportunity, unlike Sally, who just gave it up for no reason. Kathy Marie likes to be part of the culture of high society, and she has been lucky enough to be able to dip a toe into it a bit, but she is always on the periphery. She has managed to ingratiate herself with the wealthy Gearhart boy who is interested in Sally, but even that seems to backfire. At some point, Kathy Marie needs to decide what direction she wants her life to go in, but the choices aren’t easy, especially with all of the turmoil going on all the time at home.

Laine Farmer

Laine is an electrician by trade, but he has a degree in electrical engineering. He just prefers getting his hands dirty. Laine likes to fix things and see them work. Laine has a reputation for being very kind, and very wise. He is identified as a possible mentor for his second cousin Carl Bishop, and he wants to make sure that Carl learns not only a trade, but also how to be part of a functional family. Laine is married to Beth, and he is the father of Benjamin, a precocious 5-year-old Lego engineer, and Claire, 2, who likes to splash around in the baby pool. Laine is well liked by everyone in town, and well respected by his friends and family. Can Laine be the one to help Carl to see that he has so much potential, and so much to offer to the world? And can he help him with when he is faced with the biggest challenge in his life? He will certainly try. And he will never stop trying. That’s just how Laine is.

Beth Farmer and Claire

Beth is Laine Farmer’s wife. They met in Eastboro years earlier. They live in a large maroon house with yellow trim and a wrap-around porch. It’s a very good life. Beth worked as an accountant, but is now working at home, taking care of her family. She plans to return to work when her kids are older. Claire is 2, and Benjamin is 5. They are quite a handful! Beth is welcoming and friendly, and is happy to have a new friend in Kim. Claire is a little ball of energy, and she loves playing out in the yard in her kiddie pool, being read to, and playing with action figures.

Benjamin Farmer

Don’t call this precocious little boy Ben or Benji. Benjamin is the son of Laine and Beth Farmer, and the big brother of Claire. He just finished kindergarten. He loves to build with Legos, and his favorite thing to build is dinosaurs. Go ahead, quiz him on his knowledge of dinosaurs, I dare you. Benjamin becomes fast friends with his cousin Carl after he learns they have something in common, and he’s pretty fond of Kim. He loves playing video and board games with these cousins. Benjamin is happy in his life, and he’s hopeful that things will always stay the same. He might have some hard lessons to learn soon.

Dr. Singh

Dr. Singh is a neurologist, and the medical director of Head Forward, where Kim does her internship. She is very thorough and compassionate. She teaches Kim some very important lessons about caring for others, and also about life. She has an open mind, and a hippy attitude. She is a very desirable mentor for Kim, who has a lot to learn.

Drea Karras

Drea Karras is the daughter of Andreas and Rebel Karras. She was born during a very difficult period of their lives. She doesn’t know anything different than the life she has lived, and she has been very happy. But she has a lot of questions. For answers, she turns to her brother Stavros, six years older than her and her biggest fan. Stavros and Drea are very close, and are always there for each other. Drea needs her brother and her father very much as she grows up and learns some truths about herself that are difficult to handle, and they are both there for her every step of the way. Drea moves on through life having many experiences and making new friends, but she never imagines that one day she is going to meet the person of her dreams, and fall for them with one short glance. And this person will connect her with the group of friends from McKinney High for the rest of her life.

Andreas Karras

Andreas is Stavros’s father. He lives in the house he bought along with his wife to raise their family, with Stavros and his daughter Drea. He is a teacher of Greek literature, true to his Greek heritage. He has a large family that lives in Pittsburg. He is the only male sibling. His sisters can be demanding, but also very kind and helpful. Andreas does spend much time and attention in choosing his clothing. He often wears blazers with patches on the elbows. He is very wise, and a very patient father. He helps his children learn their own lessons, and he supports them unconditionally. He has endured a lot of loss and pain, but he never lets it slow him down. He would do anything for his children. He would take care of them while encouraging them to learn to care for themselves.

Rebel Karras

Rebel (short for Rebecca) Karras is the wife of Andreas and the mother of Stavros and Drea. She is originally from Pittsburg, but moved to Amherst, MA, after marrying Andreas, for his job at the university. There, Rebel attends classes, and gets a degree in philosophy. She is beloved by her fellow students, and she often brings baby Stavros with her to class and study groups. She cherishes the tie she spends with Stavros, often taking him on long walks, and teaching him to cook food from his Greek and Jewish heritage. Rebel struggles as the Vietnam war rages on, and young men are returned hoe from the war in coffins. She grieves for the losses, and wants to do whatever she can to make the world a better place. She tells Stavros stories, the stories that must be told and passes on through the generations. She reads to him, and when he learns to read, she gets him books to help him learn to be a better person. She would do anything for her children, up to and including the ultimate sacrifice.

Andre

Andre is Stavros’s roommate in school. Andre is very sheltered and has never really left his hometown for any reason. He and Stavros become close friends, since both of them are non-drinkers. They hang around together, along with another friend from their college dorm. The three men end up being life-long friends.

Chris “Jerry” Garcia

He was called Chris in high school, because, well, that’s his name! But when he meets up again with Chris Mahony freshman year in college, it becomes too confusing to have two Chris’s. So this Chris decided to go by Jerry, as in Jerry Garcia. By the next year, he was channeling the Grateful Dead leader and guitarist. Quite a change! When Chris Mahoney had a visitor from high school during college, she doesn’t even recognize Jerry as the guy she knew in junior high! Jerry’s a good guy. He just likes to have a little fun. Who doesn’t, in college? You’ll be able to read more about Chris Garcia’s high school life in a future book.

Jerome Farmer

Mimi Winters

Mimi looks pretty nervous, and she’s got good reason. She’s not even 16 years old yet, and she’s moving into her freshman college dorm! She is a prodigy and has skipped two grades in school. As she moves in, she meets her freshman roommate, Rhonda Jenkins. They seem very different from each other, but it doesn’t take long for these two to connect. As a matter of fact, Rhonda will someday credit Mimi for pretty much saving her life during their first year. She owes her a huge dept of gratitude. And a lifetime of friendship.

Jerome Farmer does not have a speaking part in the series, but he is a big character who gets mentioned a lot. It seems that Jerome, who has been dead for over twenty years, was a very well-loved mayor, probably the most beloved figure in Eastboro history. His kindness and generosity are still the talk of the town, as are his prolifically breeding children! Jerome had some very unique qualities, including empathy, integrity, loyalty, kindness, and sensitivity. Many of the Farmer descendants curse his damn sensitivity, which is a very strong family trait. There must be a box of tissues present at every wedding for the Farmers to dab their eyes. But they are very happy to inherit Jerome’s other, cherished qualities. The Grams loved their father to distraction, and they are very happy to see that many of their grandchildren are following in his beloved footsteps. Chris Mahony seems to the be the one that maybe also end with a bronze statue on a pedestal someday, if Gram Cissy has anything to say about it!

SCHOOL STAFF

Sean Jeffries, Randall Junior HIgh Principal

Poor Mr. Jeffries, the ever-suffering principal, having to put up with the bad boy posse, especially that little ruffian, Chris Mahoney. He still has many years until retirement, but he’d take it in a minute to get away from that one boy. But when the bad boy posse gets themselves in over their head, Mr. Jeffries is there, to take care of the situation. He and takes care of it, much to the dismay of the boys and their parents. But in the long run, was his decision really that unfair? Maybe, somehow, his intervention is what helped the boys to make the decision to start to clean up their act. And that’s not such a bad thing.

Dante Jackson, Science teacher, McKinney High School

Mr. Jackson shows up from time to time in the series, and contributes greatly to the lives of his student. There are more than a few adults out there who, when asked who their favorite teacher was, the one that made the most difference in their lives, answer Mr. Jackson. He teaches a lot more than just science. He teaches about making decisions and being true to yourself. And he follows up with his students, to make sure they are doing okay. He’s my favorite teacher, too.

Mrs. Catalano, Principal, McKinney High School

Mrs. Catalano is clearly the biggest fan of the McKinney High Tigers, as she illustrates when she makes her speech at the homecoming pep rally. She’s usually seen at the games in the school colors of green and black, sometimes ever shaking a pompom. She’s also very reasonable, and able to think outside the box. She is fair, and a good listener. Still, no one wants to get called to Mrs. Catalano’s office. She is the principal, after all.

PETS

Milo and Ginger

Ringo

Colby

Bowdoin