Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus

Aven thinks that Zion Hill is the “lettuce” in the trio of friends’ BLT sandwich, and that Zion, given his constant state of consternation, is often wilty lettuce. Zion is gentle, shy, and struggles with his weight. He is secretly proud when Aven calls him a geek. Like his comic bookstore owner parents, Zion has an in-depth knowledge of both the Marvel and DC universes. Zion loves his older brother Lando even though they often bicker among themselves.

Zion lacks self-confidence—likely because he has been bullied most of his life because of his weight. Zion shows his friendship with Aven when he repeatedly warns her not to trust Joshua, and when he supports Aven after Joshua’s cruelty. Zion gently tries to get Aven to stop obsessing about her “Great Humiliation” and move on, the way he has tried to overcome the effects of bullying in his life. He breaks Aven’s trust out of concern for her and Lando, an act that ultimately pushes Aven to take her power back.

Zion makes strides in increasing his self-esteem when he dances with Trilby and does not care that people will see them. Zion, like Aven, learns that one’s personality matters more than one’s appearance.

Connor is Aven’s very best friend, the “bacon” in their friend-sandwich, and when Connor moves away and attends a different high school, Aven is crushed. Connor has Tourette Syndrome, and he, Aven, and Zion bonded in middle school where they were all marginalized. Connor is equally nervous about beginning high school but gets off to a better start than Aven when he quickly makes a new friend in Amanda. Aven jealously worries that she is being replaced, though Connor assures her “We’ll always be friends” (296).

Connor shows a more mature self-awareness than Aven. Connor reveals that he is more comfortable in his skin than Aven. He accepts that he is not one of the cool kids, while Aven has internalized others’ negative opinion of her. Connor shows he is truly a good friend, standing by Aven though she tries to push him away, putting up with her anger and being honest with her.

With “eyes as bright as his smile,” Lando Hill is Zion’s charismatic older brother (214). Lando is popular and outgoing, and he is the high school’s star quarterback and loves football, but enjoys art even more. Lando hopes to write his own comic book someday, and Aven’s inner strength inspires Lando to draw her as a heroine. Lando is protective of his brother, checking on him on the first day of school and standing up for him when Joshua bullies him. Lando helps restore Aven’s trust in people, showing her that he sees—and likes—who she is inside. Lando helps Aven understand that she should proudly be herself and not care what other people think.

Bubbly, effusive, punk-loving Trilby is Aven’s new friend. Her parents run the smoothie shop at Stagecoach Pass, and her father was in a punk band called The Square Pegs. Trilby was raised on punk music. Trilby has freckles and short blonde hair that she highlights with different colored hair chalk, although she later shaves her head, thinking her hair is too conformist. She is homeschooled, loves to paint chickens, and works in the smoothie shop part time. Trilby is talkative, unfiltered, and passionate about rejecting social expectations and about sticking it to “the Man.” Aven observes that “Trilby always said whatever was on her mind no matter what it was” (62). Trilby introduces Aven to punk music and the punk philosophy. Trilby senses that Aven is punk, and, like Lando, helps Aven believe in herself. Trilby also helps Zion begin to shed his shyness.

Peppery, big-hearted Josephine is the former owner of Stagecoach Pass and Aven’s birth grandmother. Josephine now lives in the Golden Sunset Retirement Community. Josephine’s husband died in the Vietnam War, and Josephine has been single since, rejecting romantic connection as something she never had time for. Josephine initially rejects Milford’s efforts to befriend her for a litany of reasons, but Aven astutely tells her that “You just can’t believe that someone might actually like you for you” (207). Josephine sharply points out that Aven is afraid of the same thing. The two help each other realize that they are worthy of affection. Josephine is Aven’s only birth relation in the novel, but Aven knows it is her love and friendship that truly make her family. Josephine pushes Aven to be strong and shows Aven that she has friends of all ages on her side.

For years, elderly Henry has run the ice cream shop in Stagecoach Pass, but his health is failing. Henry has Sundown Syndrome, growing more tired and confused as the day progresses. Sundowning is a symptom that frequently accompanies dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Henry often gets Aven’s favorite ice cream flavor wrong, and confuses her with her mother, Aven Cavanaugh, who looked just like Aven. Henry’s memory is sharper about past events than present ones. Aven is surprised to learn that Henry is an orphan, like herself. Aven is shocked and saddened that Henry has no family connections, and worries about his isolation, even more so after Henry’s stroke. Henry forces Aven to recognize that time, and life, are fleeting. Aven’s desire to find Henry’s family reflects her own curiosity about her birth father, and ultimately, her understanding that family is what you make it. Henry helps Aven realize she must believe in herself.