Mr. Freeman
A large, flabby Southerner who unashamedly worships Vivian, his paramour, following her out of the room with adoring eyes. A foreman for the Southern Pacific Railroad, Mr. Freeman spends his life waiting for Vivian's return. Faceless, sinister, and smelling of coal dust and grease, he sexually abuses eight-year-old Maya, then rapes her. After stopping by her bed to repeat his threat against her brother if she reveals his crimes, Mr. Freeman departs from Vivian's house. His murder, although grisly, seems well deserved.
Miss Kirwin
Maya's civics and current events teacher at George Washington High School in San Francisco. A twenty-year veteran with memorable stature and "battleship-gray hair," she impresses Maya by respecting teenagers enough to refer to them as "ladies and gentlemen."
Red Leg
Along with Just Black, Stonewall Jimmy, Cool Clyde, and Tight Coat, Red Leg, a quick-witted underworld friend of Daddy Clidell, entertains Maya with a long-winded story of how he conned a Tulsa cracker.
Dolores Stockland
Bailey Johnson's prim, pretentious small-framed girl friend, who interrupts her meticulous sewing of kitchen curtains to vent her temper and jealousy on Maya by stabbing her in the side.
Bootsie
A tall boy who serves as spokesman for the rules of the junkyard commune where Maya lives. He maintains group finances by keeping everyone's earnings and doling them out equitably.
Lee Arthur
The only member of the junkyard commune who lives at home. Lee welcomes the gang to his house on Friday evenings for baths.
