Leroy Moffitt

Leroy Moffitt is a disabled trucker residing with his wife, Norma Jean, in western Kentucky. After a debilitating truck accident, Leroy finds himself confined to home, where he spends his time smoking marijuana and crafting items from kits. Despite his camaraderie with his mother-in-law through playful banter, he senses her enduring disapproval, feeling that "Mabel has never really forgiven him for disgracing her by getting Norma Jean pregnant." Leroy is acutely aware that his marriage is faltering, yet he struggles to fully accept this reality. As rural Kentucky evolves, so does Norma Jean, and Leroy feels alienated from both changes, clinging to the past with dreams of constructing a log cabin—a metaphor for his longing to restore their early relationship. Although his affection for Norma Jean is genuine, he remains uncertain of her feelings towards him, their marriage, or the tragic death of their infant son, Randy. Author Bobbie Ann Mason has expressed an interest in male characters navigating cultural transitions, encapsulated in Leroy's musings: "Nobody knows anything," and "The answers are always changing."

Norma Jean Moffitt

Living in rural western Kentucky with Leroy, Norma Jean Moffitt has grown accustomed to her husband's absence due to his trucking career. Now that Leroy is homebound following his injury, Norma Jean feels uneasy with his constant presence. Employed at a Rexall drugstore, she lifts weights, plays the organ, and experiments with culinary creations, each a testament to her proactive approach to self-improvement and adaptation. As the narrative develops, Norma Jean becomes increasingly dissatisfied with her marriage. She is indifferent towards Leroy's log cabin plans and weary of her mother's intrusive involvement in her matrimonial matters. Despite agreeing to visit Shiloh, a trip orchestrated by her mother, she ultimately confronts Leroy with the revelation of her desire to leave him. Her final ambiguous gesture further perplexes Leroy, who is unable to embrace her evolving identity. Norma Jean's story, like many of Mason's female characters, reflects the theme of individuals seeking personal growth in environments that may not fully foster such change.

Mabel Beasley

Mabel Beasley, Norma Jean's mother and Leroy's mother-in-law, resides near the Moffitts and is a frequent, often unannounced, visitor to their home. Her unexpected arrival once catches Norma Jean smoking, an act Mabel disapproves of. Mabel's discontent with Leroy impregnating Norma Jean is palpable, and she perceives the death of their son, Randy, as a form of divine justice. To convey her belief in Norma Jean's culpability for the infant's death, Mabel shares a story of a negligent mother whose child met a similar fate. Reminiscing about her bridal trip to the Shiloh battlefield, Mabel is intent on sending the couple there, hopeful that revisiting the site will mend their marital discord. Her insistence on this pilgrimage underscores her meddlesome nature and traditional outlook on marital responsibilities.

Stevie Hamilton

Stevie Hamilton, the teenage son of a respected doctor in the Moffitts' town, leads a double life as a drug dealer, supplying Leroy with marijuana. His presence in the story triggers poignant reflections in Leroy about his deceased son, Randy, who would have been around Stevie's age. This connection serves to highlight the stark contrast between Leroy's past aspirations and his present reality, further complicating his emotional turmoil.

Randy Moffitt

Randy Moffitt, the infant son of Norma Jean and Leroy, tragically succumbed to sudden infant death syndrome while with his parents at a drive-in theater. His death, which occurred fifteen years prior to the story's events, remains a pivotal and painful memory for both his parents, influencing their current relationship dynamics and emotional states.