K
Kapango Nassor- Imani’s suitor
L
Liam Tesano- Patriarch of Tesano family
Lorenz Reyes- Roman’s old friend
M
Marco Lucci- Roman’s old friend
Micalino Tesano- Liam’s younger brother
Mitchell Claymore- Erica Lewis’ uncle
P
Paul Lewis- Pitch’s stepfather
Pitch Tesano (Vicari)- Liam Tesano’s son with Erica Lewis
R
Roman Tesano- Fifth Tesano son
Ronaldo Cavalese- Athena’s father
Rosella Campagnone- Stone’s friend
Rubius Campagnone- Rosella’s father
Rena Abreu- Aaron’s friend
S
Stone Tesano- Third Tesano son
Smoak Tesano- Roman’s and Imani’s third son
T
Tonelo Aliri- Liam’s old friend
Toriano Tesano- Liam’s youngest brother
V
Vale Tesano- Youngest Tesano son
Vicari Tesano (Pitch)- Liam’s son
X
Xavier Auten- Tesano Employee
Z
Zachary Billups- Stone’s friend
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(1)Three of the main couples in this story commit to each other at very young ages. Each relationship is different with its own strengths, weaknesses and challenges. Do you think this is a product of the couple’s ages or merely circumstance? What are your thoughts on marrying young?
(2)Discuss Athena’s role as a mother. Did she exhibit more strengths or flaws? Do you believe she loved her sons? Discuss her habit of confiding/venting to Humphrey. Was this an example of bad parenting?
(3)Liam Tesano is an intelligent man, a visionary of the highest caliber. What reasons lay at the root of his ability to forgive his wife’s numerous indiscretions? Do you believe he ever really loved Athena or was it always about lust and craving the excitement that followed her?
(4)Erica Lewis said she would do anything for her children, but gives one away because her husband couldn’t accept it. After reading the story, are you sympathetic to her situation? What would you have done?
(5)Discuss Athena’s sexual choices. How often did love play a role? Did it ever?
(6)Liam kept his family living in a small, cramped residence far below their financial means for quite a while. Do you think he was doing this to punish Athena, for the security of his employees, to remain close to Erica Lewis or did all factors play a role? Did they play an equal role?
(7)Do you believe Athena hated Pitch so intensely because he was a reminder of Liam’s infidelity, because Liam was unfaithful with a black woman or because the infidelity resulted in a son? Could it have been a combination of all three and, if so, do you believe one reason overshadowed the others?
(8)Humphrey reasoned that his interest in eugenics was attributed to the belief that certain ‘groups’ shouldn’t mix. Do you believe his outlook was driven by the hatred of what he thought Pitch’s existence did to his parents marriage or specifically about race itself?
