Lucia is the novel’s narrator and protagonist. In the beginning of the novel, Lucia has a carefree attitude. She is not concerned about politics or the revolution; rather, she is interested in boys, likes to dress up, and wishes she could wear makeup and cut her hair. Though she is a typical teenager, she cannot totally ignore the changes in her hometown, but she regards them with immature naivete, choosing to believe Castro’s propaganda over her parents.

After finding Doc Machado dead in the park, Lucia starts to comprehend the seriousness of the political situation in Cuba. She realizes that her family must be careful to avoid persecution. Her choices start to center more on her family than on herself, though she still has typical teenage desires and hopes. At times, she is conflicted about how to act and what to believe.

Once it is decided that the children will go to the US, Lucia develops emotionally and begins to act with more maturity. She is determined to appear strong in front of her parents because she senses that her distress would only make things harder for them. She also wants to be strong for Frankie, to reassure him that everything will be okay.