Meet the Cast
Phoenix Jackson
Phoenix is our main character and heroine, though she doesn't fit the usual description. She's a small, old, African American woman who walks around with an apron made of sugar sacks, a cane made f...
The Grandson
At this point, you might be flipping back through the story looking for the place where Phoenix's grandson is introduced. No, you didn't miss anything. He is not actually in the story. That is, we...
The Hunter
The hunter is the only person Phoenix speaks to on the country part of the path. Well, she does talk to a little boy bringing a piece of cake, but that is really more of a daydream, so we won't cou...
The Attendant
The attendant is the first character to speak to Phoenix when she enters the doctor's office. But though she sits at the reception desk, she is not exactly welcoming. The attendant judges Phoenix a...
The Nurse
The nurse recognizes Phoenix immediately, and she is familiar with her grandson's case. The few biographical details we get about Phoenix come through her conversation with the nurse. From the nurs...
The Shopper
The shopper is a very minor character—all she does is stop for a couple seconds to tie Phoenix's shoes when Phoenix asks her to. However, in a story in which the main character only speaks to fou...