Iveliz Explains It All

Mami is Iveliz’s mother, and Mami grew up in Puerto Rico with Mimi and her sisters—Iveliz’s aunts. Mami, too, experienced trauma after the death of her husband. As Iveliz remembers, “I don’t think Mami did anything but sleep / for months” (184). Iveliz presents Mami as her oppressive antagonist, forcing her to attend therapy with Dr. Turnip and take medicine. Iveliz’s portrayal of Mami is inconsistent. She complains that Mami doesn’t talk. At the same time, she scolds Mami for speaking too much and not listening to Iveliz. Iveliz writes, “She never knows when to stop. / She’s all blah blah blah school / and blah blah blah moods” (72). Mami is subject to Iveliz’s distorted point of view.

Mami isn’t an inimical character. She wants to help her daughter, and she’s honest about not having all the answers. Mami works many shifts at Safeway, which gives Iveliz another reason to present her as neglectful. Yet Mami remains a steadfast ally. She doesn’t belittle her daughter’s mental condition and deviating from tropes about Puerto Rican culture’s devaluation of mental health conditions, she encourages Iveliz to seek therapy and take medication. Mami’s course of action proves to be in Iveliz’s best interest. After Iveliz opens up to Dr. Turnip, Mami and Iveliz’s relationship transforms. Mami spends a weekend with Iveliz, and they work together to make photo albums for Mimi.

Mimi is Iveliz’s grandmother, and she used to live in Puerto Rico. Due to the ongoing impact of Hurricane Maria and her Alzheimer’s disease, Mimi must come to Baltimore to live with Iveliz and Mami. Mimi’s character parallels Iveliz’s character. They feel a loss of agency—like people are taking over their lives and that they have no say in what happens to them. Iveliz scolds adults for not heeding her feelings, and after she escapes a second time, Mimi harangues the police and her family for treating her like a baby. Iveliz summates their similarities when she writes,

She’s trapped in this apartment,

dreaming of a different one

to spread out her stuff,

and I’m trapped in my brain,

wishing for a new one

to stuff all my thoughts (169).

Their shared predicament turns Mimi into an ally. There’s a sense of understanding between them, even if Mimi doesn’t grasp what’s happening to her. In the “Happiness” pie chart (136), 20% of Iveliz’s happiness involves cooking with Mimi. Iveliz also bonds with Mimi through gardening. At times, Iveliz seems to juxtapose Mimi with Mami to advance her claim that Mami is antagonistic. 

As with Mami, Iveliz’s characterization of Mimi is inconsistent. Mimi regularly triggers her by asking about Dad and dismissing her therapy and mental condition. Mimi, not Mami, creates the climatic event. After she throws out Iveliz’s medicine, Iveliz locks herself in the bathroom and considers harming herself. Similar to Mami, Iveliz and Mimi resolve their differences. Iveliz proudly takes her medicine in front of Mimi, and Mimi apologizes for her flippant attitude about mental health.

Iveliz’s father, Dad, is a mysterious character, as the novel doesn’t clarify his status until “I Tell Mami” (105). The uncertainty creates questions about Dad and his relationship to Iveliz and Mami. His sudden visits suggest that he and Mami have separated or are divorced, and he just drops by when he feels like it. The truth is that he appears because of Iveliz’s PTSD and depression, which causes her to see and interact with him as if he were a living person. Dad visits Iveliz because she adores him. She characterizes him as a “life of a party/ prankster of a / dad” (11). Iveliz makes her mother look strict and severe, but she portrays her father as gregarious and fun. Mami further his positive characterization when she notes that Dad was

too good

too funny

too smart

and so God called him back early

to light up the sky (148).

The overwhelmingly positive depictions of Dad turn him into an angel-like figure. Iveliz thinks of him as a ghost, but she makes a connection between ghosts and guardian angels. His visits upset her because she knows that they’re a product of her mental health condition. Nevertheless, Dad, echoing Dr. Turnip, provides helpful advice, encouraging her to use her voice and not limit her growth.

Dr. Turnip’s real name is Dr. Alex, but Iveliz calls him Dr. Turnip for most of the book because she views him as an antagonist. She admits her dislike of Dr. Turnip isn’t “personal”; nevertheless, she continually combats him. She thinks he’s in league with Mami, and anything she tells him, he’ll convey to Mami. Iveliz vows, “Don’t tell Turnip anything you don’t want to say. You don’t need to be fixed, and speaking up always leads to people wanting to fix things” (95). Iveliz’s unwillingness to open up to Dr. Turnip keeps her from getting healthier.

Once Iveliz starts talking to Dr. Turnip, her mental health improves. Contrary to Iveliz’s depiction, Dr. Turnip doesn’t want to “fix” Iveliz or put words in her mouth. He tells her, “[N]ow is your moment. / I need you to SPEAK UP” (204). As Iveliz embraces Dr. Turnip’s advice, Dr. Turnip is mainly responsible for Iveliz’s transformation. After she talks to him, she begins genuinely conversing with Mami, Amir, Akiko, and the other people in her life.

Amir is Iveliz’s best friend, but their relationship is one-sided, as she expects him to be there for her whenever she wants. Iveliz writes, “Dad thinks I’m being unreasonable / Says no one can be there for someone 24-7” (52). Amir’s little brother needs surgery on his heart, but when he tries talking to Iveliz about his situation, she can’t listen. Amir confronts Iveliz about her behavior, and by the end of the story, they’re friends again. Amir’s little brother survives, and Iveliz celebrates his recovery, proving she can care about another person’s battles.

Akiko is half-Japanese and half-German. Boys at school bully her, and Iveliz responds by putting codfish in their locker. Akiko didn’t want Iveliz to counterattack, and her negative response triggers Iveliz. Later, Akiko’s makeover triggers Iveliz again. Akiko teases Iveliz about her mental health condition, and wanting a friend, Iveliz goes along with it, but the flippant language bothers her. After Iveliz starts talking to people, she explains her situation, and Akiko admits she was only “trying to be funny and cool” (250). As with Amir, Akiko and Iveliz resolve their differences and remain friends.