Beauty
The first woman in her friend pack to die. The novel centers around her departing words to them urging them to do whatever it takes to survive through the HIV epidemic.
Cordelia
The most outspoken and open of the four remaining friends whose willingness to confront her husband leaves her abandoned by her husband, who leaves her with a black eye, his own departing gift so to speak.
Amanda
The second friend of four, Amanda's strategy for survival is to use condoms. In that conflict, she realizes that she is being abused and she resolves herself to abandon her marriage for her own sake.
Doris
Doris's situation is similar, but different, since Selby, her fiancé, are already required to be tested as part of the approval process for their bond. But even Doris is unnerved after everything is said and done, even though they test negative for HIV, because Selby was very suspicious. He seems to have a secret life she does not know about.
Edith
Poor Edith is the fourth friend who learns from Amanda's example that she is also in an abusive relationship, but she also becomes the victim of her husband's violence when she confronts him, meaning that if he had the disease, he has given it to her out of spite by raping her.
The Vuyo
Cordelia's husband who becomes enraged at his wife and leaves her.
Selby
Doris's fiancé whose requirement to take the HIV test causes him serious discomfort, making Doris suspicious of him.
Luvo
Edith's violence and wrathful husband, and a symbol for oppression in the novel.
