As things become more severe, Naomi gradually begins to grow fearful of Skyla, but is ultimately hesitant to warn Mary of her increasingly erratic behavior.

However, refusing to let that happen, Mary takes the kids on a whirlwind journey accompanied by their neighbors Fabiola and Bernardo Morales to the city of Oaxaca, Mexico.

The group participate in Mexico's Los Posadas and Night of the Radishes, where Santiago arrives and reunites with his children, but he is unable to come back with Naomi and Owen to Lemon Tree.

Naomi Soledad León Outlaw: the daughter of Santiago and Skyla, the great-granddaughter of Mary, and the sister of Owen; she is also the main protagonist and narrator of the story.

Skyla Jones: the mother of Naomi and Owen, the ex-wife of Santiago, and the main antagonist in the story who suddenly reappeared in her children's lives after seven years of being gone.