See You in the Cosmos

Alex’s and Ronnie’s mother has schizophrenia, which developed at some point in the past. Her background details come from what Alex mentions about her: her parents are Filipino and came to visit when Ronnie was a child. She went to the Philippines to visit her parents at least once, leaving the boys at home alone. She stayed with Alex’s and Ronnie’s father despite his negative behaviors and verbal abuse. Sometime after he died, she lost her job, stopped driving, and developed increasingly distracted behaviors that made her incapable of caring for Alex.

Alex mentions that his mother saw a therapist when he was in second grade but stopped going for financial reasons. She rests, has “quiet days,” walks long distances, and does not show concern when Alex leaves to attend SHARF. At some point on Alex’s journey from Albuquerque to Las Vegas or Los Angeles, Alex's mother hears voices telling her to bathe in a public fountain in a shopping mall. Terra and Ronnie eventually find her once they return to Rockview; she is in a hospital and receives the schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment there. 

Ronnie is a complex character with a significant arc. Initially, he is busy with his career in Los Angeles, having left a troubled household to establish his own life. He checks in with Alex and his mother and sends them money, but he is detached and distracted over the phone. Alex makes decisions (such as going to visit Ronnie in Los Angeles without permission) knowing that Ronnie is not fully aware of the circumstances. Ronnie remembers their father as a womanizing, abusive bully. He is surprised to learn how his mother’s condition deteriorated and initially does not plan to come to Alex’s aid when Alex falls from the roof. Terra, however, convinces Ronnie that he must come. Ronnie then acts quickly to prevent foster care services from taking Alex and plans to bring Alex to Los Angeles. Finally, when the social worker tells him Alex must stay in the state of Colorado, Ronnie makes the sacrifice to move back home. These decisions and changes in his actions show that Ronnie is a dynamic character who transforms from the detached brother living far away in Los Angeles to someone willing to take on the responsibility of caring for Alex and their mother.

Carl Sagan serves as an Ally character archetype. Alex is Carl Sagan’s Ally as well since Alex rescues the stray puppy and gives him shelter and love. Carl Sagan accompanies Alex on the start of his overall journey to SHARF but gets lost in Las Vegas. Alex feels guilty when Carl Sagan goes missing, a parallel to the guilt he feels inside over leaving his mother. Carl Sagan’s return symbolizes the joy we feel when a lucky—even miraculous—event benefits us, and reaffirms to Alex that believing in positive outcomes is not foolish as Steve suggests.

Alex meets Zed on the train to SHARF, and Zed becomes one of Alex’s companions throughout his experiences. Zed serves as a strong Mentor character archetype. His character symbolizes new ways of thinking and behaving to Alex, as Zed has traveled to India, knows meditation, and has taken a vow of silence. His appearance represents a manner and devotion Alex does not at first recognize: “[…] except this bald guy who was wearing gray robes like a martial arts master” (24). Zed teaches Alex meditation. He asks Alex to tell him more about his journey and supports Alex’s spur-of-the-moment “father quest”—if Alex gets permission from Ronnie and his mother first. In this way, Zed symbolizes balance between spontaneity and planning. Zed also symbolizes that change and flexibility are good, such as when he foregoes his silence vow to calm Alex on the loss of Carl Sagan.

Steve is Zed’s roommate who picks Zed and Alex up at the Albuquerque train station on the way to SHARF. Steve has a goatee which Alex refers to as a “kidtee” because “it’s not that thick yet” (42). Initially, Steve focuses on trivial concerns like his demanding girlfriend; his pettiness juxtaposes with Zed’s consistent balance and Alex’s spontaneous energy. He wants to make quick money at sideline ventures like selling energy drinks and repurposing used cell phones. He fusses immaturely when his rocket loses and is hesitant to bring Alex along to Las Vegas because Alex might interfere with Steve’s “business” goals. His character arc peaks when, frustrated by his awkward attraction to Terra which prompts him to break up with his girlfriend, he cruelly insists that Alex’s rocket and Golden iPod idea will never succeed. A dynamic character, Steve’s changes are evident as he then works to make up for his faults; he brings Carl Sagan back to Alex, demonstrates care and concern for Alex after his accident, and sincerely tells Alex that they can visit in the future.