‘Bili Bean’

Willow’s mother, graceful and deadly as a viper filled with a lifetime of resentment. Only sees flaws in everyone but is hardest on herself. She was a semi-successful ex-singer before she married Cereus and immigrated to the US, where she supported Cereus through business school. She now owns a nail salon. Spends most of her time reminiscing about her past life and regretting every choice she made. Wants Willow to lead a better life than her. Iris alienates everyone in the room with her incessant critiques. She believes ignoring the problem will make it disappear. As she slowly lets her guard down, she says the one thing she’s never said in her life, I’m sorry.

Willow’s father, charming and funny to nobody but himself. Avoids conflict, tries to fix everything. A dreamer, with nothing to back it up. A businessman with many failed businesses. Now a car salesman. In the story: Cereus, always trying to find the silver lining, finally comes to terms with the extent of Willow’s disorder. He stops trying to fix things and learns to listen to Willow.

The Wen family’s therapist. Grew up in the 70s in upstate NY. A free-spirited hippie turned 9 to 5 office-worker to pay the bills. Never had a family or kids nor able to keep a plant alive. Jaded by the hopeless families she counsels and counting the days to retirement. Trying to mediate between Willow’s parents, Dr. Bliss explodes and finally speaks her mind. Unexpectedly, it works. Slowly, she gains the respect and trust of the Wen family and leads them through a spiritual awakening.