Back Roads

Amber Altmyer is the 16-year-old sister of Harley. With only three years separating them, Harley and Amber are the closest in age of the four Altmyer children. At the beginning of the novel, Amber’s sexual activity is presented as typical adolescent behavior. However, as the novel progresses, Amber’s behavior begins to take on a different meaning as Harley reflects on the abusive behavior of their father. Harley focuses on physical abuse, but as time passes, he begins to suspect there was sexual abuse in the family. This puts Amber’s sexual activity in a different light, bringing to the forefront the possibility that Amber, while not the main subject of Harley’s suspicions, might have experienced sexual abuse.

Amber is rebellious and deeply attached to Harley. Comments Amber makes throughout the novel suggest a deeper relationship than the one Harley presents. Since Harley is the narrator, Amber’s behavior is filtered through Harley’s perception of it. Harley sees Amber as a nuisance and often doesn’t get along with her. However, Amber makes comments to Harley that don’t align with the relationship Harley believes they have. Later, Misty and Jody make comments that suggest a different relationship between Harley and Amber that Harley doesn’t address.

At the end of the novel Harley remembers that Amber sexually abused him when they were younger. When Betty analyzes the situation and explains to Harley the emotional toll Harley and Amber’s relationship has had on both of them, it becomes clear both children were traumatized by both the physical abuse and incest that took place in their childhood. In killing Callie, Amber acts out of shame and the continuing need to have Harley as her source of comfort.

Misty Altmyer is the third child in the Altmyer family. She is 12 when the novel begins. Harley’s interactions with Misty are tense. They fight often and Misty presents an independent attitude that fits with the family dynamics of the Altmyer family in the aftermath of their father’s death. However, as the novel progresses, Harley begins to see Misty in a different light. While Harley was already aware that Misty was their father’s favorite because she shared his interests, Harley wasn’t aware of Misty’s emotional attachment to their father. At one point, Harley begins to suspect that Misty was sexually abused by their father.

Misty is mature for her age, and this maturity presents itself through a detached attitude that makes Misty seem separated from her family and their problems. Misty is manipulative, and she is the first to sense the sexual side of Harley and Amber’s relationship. She pushes Harley and Amber together, perhaps in an attempt to keep the family together. This knowledge and behavior suggest that Harley’s suspicions of sexual abuse might be accurate despite the fact that no one in the family ever saw any evidence of it.

Harley learns that Misty killed their father, and she did it while attempting to kill their mother. Although Misty argues that their mother never protected them and was never abused by their father as the children were, she also expresses a deep desire to make her father love her the way he loved their mother. This suggests Harley’s suspicion of sexual abuse might be valid. Misty’s attachment to her father is similar to Amber’s attachment to Harley. At the same time, Misty’s opinion of their mother underscores Harley’s belief that their mother abandoned them in more ways than one. Misty displays mature and disturbing thoughts at the end of the novel that support Harley’s fear of her and suggest that Misty is struggling with the same mental health issues as Harley and Amber, but in a different way. However, the truth about Misty’s actions never comes out, leaving her without the help she needs.

Callie Mercer is a stay-at-home mom who is bored with her life and unhappy in her marriage. Although Callie is intelligent and a loving mother, she indulges in a relationship with Harley despite the signs that Harley is struggling with his mental health. She fails to understand the significance behind Harley’s behavior, such as his refusal to take off his father’s hunting jacket despite the increasing temperatures. Callie’s focus is on her own unhappiness and the excitement Harley brings to her life.

Callie represents another adult in Harley’s life who lets him down. Harley has already lost both his parents and struggles with the responsibility of raising his family on his own. Callie is in a position where she could offer Harley help by recognizing his struggle and encouraging him to get help. Instead, Callie sneaks around with Harley to satisfy her own need for excitement.