Out of My Dreams

Miss Gertie is Melody’s elderly neighbor in Ohio. Initially, Melody knows little about her and considers her to be somewhat standoffish, noticing that Miss Gertie lives alone and that few people come to visit. However, after Melody saves Miss Gertie’s life, she gets to experience a new side of her neighbor.

Before living in Ohio, Miss Gertie was a well-known and highly acclaimed British actor who starred in many plays, movies, and television shows. Miss Gertie loved her life as an actor and used to live in London, where she spent time with her large family. When her beloved husband died, Miss Gertie retreated into herself and gave up on life in many ways. She disconnected from her family, quit acting, and lived an isolated life in Ohio.

Throughout the novel, Miss Gertie emerges from her isolation and takes steps to return to her old life. When Melody convinces her to perform in the play at the Globe, Miss Gertie reconnects with her love of acting and revives her bonds with her family, stepping back into her community.

As Miss Gertie’s 14-year-old niece, Sky is an important secondary character who serves as a vital source of support for Melody. She has colorful dyed hair and wears splashy outfits. Although Melody initially finds her cool and intimidating, she quickly forms a deep connection with Sky. Because Sky’s parents work in the foreign service, she has had to move many times and rarely has the chance to make lasting connections anywhere. She is worldly and intelligent and speaks multiple languages, and most importantly, she is unfazed by Melody’s use of assistive devices.

Sky and Melody bond over their shared interests in pop culture, particularly the boy band Double Trouble. They both enjoy participating in the cultural offerings of the city and bring a playful spirit to their sightseeing. Sky is a loyal and supportive friend who helps Melody with tasks like eating and moving around.

Mrs. V is Melody’s older neighbor, and she often steps into a caretaking role for Melody, serving as her aide. Mrs. V staunchly believes in Melody, pushing her to get outside her comfort zone and share her insights with the world. Mrs. V is the person who originally pushed Melody to explore ways of expressing herself, and she also found Elvira. When Melody feels insecure, Mrs. V reminds Melody that the people at the I.D.E.A. conference have chosen Melody to attend because they saw something valuable in her and know that she can contribute meaningfully to the event. Mrs. V always tends to Melody with efficiency and discretion, helping her to maintain her independence while also providing her with the support that she needs. Mrs. V is intuitive and observant enough to notice when Melody is struggling, and she is highly attuned to accessibility issues in the world.

Oliver Foster is Sky’s older brother, an aspiring theater professional and writer who has a summer internship at the Globe theater in London. Oliver is friendly and warm, and goes out of his way to make sure that Melody sees everything that the theater has to offer. Like his sister, he is an empathetic and loyal friend who actively supports Melody’s explorations of London. He tries his best to get the group access to the concert and leaves with Melody when she is turned away.

Teddy is a warm, friendly cab driver who picks Melody and Sky up outside the hotel and continues to help them throughout their visit to London. He waits for them, returns to pick them up during busy times, and generally makes sure that they are safe and are able to go wherever they need to go. Teddy attended university with Miss Gertie and remembers being inspired by her work on stage, and for this reason, Melody and Sky conspire to reintroduce him to Miss Gertie.