House Arrest

Annie is Timothy and Levi’s mother. The narrative suggests that Annie had a happy marriage prior to Levi’s birth, and she continues to wear her wedding rings after her husband abandons the family. Annie is overwhelmed by Levi’s medical needs and her attempts to earn enough money to support the family. Timothy frequently finds her pouring over bills anxiously, but she does not want to ask for help from friends and neighbors and accepts it only reluctantly. As a result, Timothy does not have sufficient supervision and guidance, often goes hungry, does not have season-appropriate clothing, and is unable to receive a flu shot or see a doctor when he becomes sick.

Yet it is clear in the narrative that Annie loves both her children and is doing the best that she can under difficult circumstances. When nursing care is available for Levi, Annie spends one-on-one time with Timothy. After Child Protective Services(CPS) is called to investigate their situation, the agent assigned to the family closes the case, though she stipulates that Timothy is not to be left alone with Levi. The agent also suggests placing Levi in a facility until the family is more financially stable. When Timothy confronts his mother for considering this option, she explains that she fears for Levi’s safety all the time. On another occasion, she tells Timothy that she is forced to choose “the least terrible” among “a million terrible choices,” which is also how Timothy feels (193). Yet when Annie hears Mary, Levi’s nurse, verbally abusing him, she immediately fires her. Ultimately, Annie also accepts help from the Carnival of Giving and praises Timothy for having created a positive outcome for their family. 

Levi is Timothy’s infant brother. His trachea problems require a tracheotomy tube for his breathing. The tube often becomes clogged, so his home is equipped with a suction machine and oxygen tank. His medical issues slow some of his development, particularly his speech, since the tube prevents him from making sounds. His nurse, Marisol, teaches him sign language, and he and Timothy communicate using sign. Levi enjoys music and shares a close bond with his brother. Timothy depicts Levi as fun-loving and perceptive. He signs “dog” when Timothy’s hair gets too long and “mama sad” when he sees his mother’s crying. His medical needs strain the family’s financial resources, however, and Annie briefly considers committing him to an institution. 

James is Timothy’s parole officer, and he eventually begins dating Timothy’s psychologist. At first, he is strict and tough, yelling at Timothy and demanding an explanation for his theft of the wallet, but as he gets to know Timothy, James develops a deeper understand of and empathy for the difficulty of Timothy’s plight. He leaves packages of food and entertainment at Timothy’s house and even brings items to the hospital when Levi is in the ICU. He takes Timothy to the batting cages and to their apartment complex’s gym so that Timothy can work off his negative emotions physically. After Timothy gets in trouble for punching a wall in frustration because his mother is considering sending Levi to an institution, James buys him a milkshake. James and Mrs. Bainbridge, Timothy’s psychologist, arrange a birthday party for Timothy’s 13th birthday. At the end of the book, when Timothy is put in juvenile detention, James visits him. His character evolves from being punitive and disciplinary to more fatherly and compassionate. 

Mrs. Bainbridge is Timothy’s psychologist (and eventually James’s girlfriend). Mrs. Bainbridge oversees Timothy’s journal and encourages him to speak more about his feelings. Though he is initially reluctant and defensive, Timothy develops a genuine bond with her. Mrs. Bainbridge offers help to Timothy and encourages him to seek help from others, but she respects his wishes when he asks her not to contact CPS on his family’s behalf. She allows Timothy to use her computer to research Levi’s illness and to send emails to a doctor who specializes in treating children with Levi’s condition. When the doctor’s response comes through, she rushes to Timothy’s house at night in the rain and on her own time. Like James, she comes to understand and empathize with Timothy’s situation, recognizing that while his behavior may at times be unproductive, his motives are his deep love for his mother and brother, his sense of responsibility for them, and his desire to fill his absent father’s shoes.

José is Timothy’s friend and neighbor. Before Timothy’s house arrest, he and José would play baseball on their street and go to parties or the mall. José’s family includes both parents and four healthy sisters. His house is a constant hive of activity. It is chaotic, like Timothy’s, but because of José’s sisters’ many activities and interests rather than because of one family member having a life-threatening illness. José complains to Timothy about his noisy sisters and his demanding father, highlighting the contrast between his worries and Timothy’s. While José’s complaints and frustrations are age-appropriate, Timothy is forced to tackle adult responsibilities. When José senses the growing bond between his sister and Timothy, his relationship with Timothy becomes strained and awkward. Eventually, he comes to accept it, and the boys’ relationship stabilizes.  

Isa is one of José’s sisters. Timothy develops a crush on her and worries that this will make his relationship with José awkward since José and Isa often needle each other. Isa shows compassion for Timothy, and her quiet support lifts him up. She helps Timothy research Levi’s condition and sits silently with Timothy when he feels overwhelmed. 

Marisol is one of Levi’s nurses. She is kind and loving both to Levi and Timothy. Because of his tracheotomy tube, Levi cannot speak, so Marisol teaches him, as well as Timothy, sign language. When she is not able to work full time, she is replaced by a new nurse, Mary. On her last day, she weeps and makes Timothy promise to keep working on sign language with Levi. After Mary is fired, Marisol returns.