Fangirl Down

Wells Whitaker is the novel’s other protagonist. On the exterior, Wells is gruff, callous, and brusque. His lack of interest in connecting with others is in large part inspired by his difficult childhood. When Wells was young, he often misbehaved and rebelled. These difficult behavioral patterns wore on his parents, causing them to neglect Wells’s upbringing to go and work on cruise ships. When they were home, Wells didn’t feel loved by his mom or dad and therefore ended up living full-time with his uncle. These familial dynamics caused Wells to feel unlovable and overlooked.

For a time, Wells believed that his golf coach and mentor, Buck Lee, saw something good in him. However, as soon as Wells’s performance on the golf course devolved, Buck disappeared from Wells’s life. Shortly thereafter, even Wells’s manager Nate stopped working for Wells. Most people in Wells’s life see him as “a royal prick” (18) and feel tired of his volatility, selfishness, and refusal to take advice. The only exception is Josephine, who supports Wells in spite of Wells’s antisocial manner and lacking golf performance. Wells is resistant to establishing close relationships because he’s convinced that whomever he gets attached to will abandon and disappoint him. However, Josephine’s empathy, buoyancy, and loyalty move him, ultimately contributing to his ongoing personal growth journey.

Wells’s relationship with Josephine proves that his character is softer and more sympathetic than he appears. Josephine is able to look past Wells’s stubbornness and rudeness and to believe in his goodness. When Josephine sees something good in Wells, Wells is better able to perceive his own positive attributes. Wells is undeniably attracted to Josephine on a sexual and romantic level. However, over time his interest in her proves deeper and more complex. He shows his investment in her life by caring for her physical needs and encouraging her to pursue her dreams. As soon as the two protagonists begin to spend time together, Wells realizes that Josephine is “so much more than his most loyal fan” and that she has problems of her own “to contend with” (30). Josephine’s character therefore awakens Wells to his self-involvement.

Over time, their relationship challenges Wells to put aside his own hurt, frustration, and disappointment to support and care for another person. Over the course of the novel, Wells doesn’t simply resurrect his professional golfing career but also transforms into a more empathetic and self-aware character who ultimately proves himself capable of healthy, reciprocal relationships with others.

Evelyn and Jim Doyle are secondary characters. They are Josephine’s mother and father and live in Palm Beach, Florida. Ever since their only child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Evelyn and Jim have been anxious worriers. They’ve raised Josephine telling her that she can have the same sort of life as everyone else in spite of her condition; however, their obsessively protective behaviors have suggested otherwise. Over time, Evelyn and Jim’s parenting style made Josephine feel as if she “couldn’t possibly be like everyone else” (137) when her parents were constantly hovering. Eventually, Josephine made them stop following her on her blood glucose app because she feared their “worry was going to kill them” (138) and was limiting her independence and freedom.

In the narrative present, Evelyn and Jim have assumed a more peripheral role in Josephine’s life. They are still concerned with their daughter’s well-being but also want to respect Josephine’s boundaries and to let her have her autonomy. They agree to let her run their family’s pro shop and to manage her own health without their intervention. When the hurricane ruins the shop and compromises Josephine’s future, she feels as if she’s failed her parents.

However, Evelyn and Jim continue to support and encourage Josephine even after they discover the truth of her dire situation. They consistently interact with her in positive, loving ways and never use anger or aggression when they relate to her. Their characters have been Josephine’s guides throughout her life and have instilled her with the courage and positivity she possesses as an adult. The Doyles are also enthusiastic about Josephine’s opportunity as a caddie and her romantic relationship with Wells. As supportive, loving parents, they want the best for their daughter and make consistent efforts to engage in her life without stifling her.

Tallulah is a minor, static character. She is Josephine’s best friend. In the narrative present, she is living and working in Antarctica. Josephine misses and frequently thinks about Tallulah throughout the novel, as Tallulah has been her closest friend for most of their lives. The friends try to stay in touch as best as they can during Tallulah’s time away. Their phone calls convey Tallulah’s belief and investment in Josephine’s life and her desire to see Josephine succeed and find happiness.

Tallulah only makes one in-scene appearance. For Josephine’s birthday, Wells arranges for her to visit Josephine in California. Josephine is thrilled to be reunited with her friend and to be able to share everything that’s been happening to her in person. Tallulah’s character is also a narrative device used to underscore Josephine’s authentic and genuine character. When she’s with Tallulah, Josephine is her truest self—an iteration of her identity she hasn’t hidden from Wells. The scenes of Tallulah and Josephine together reinforce how important mutual friendships are to Josephine, reinforcing her capacity to invest in others’ lives.