Hazel Parker, who is known in her community as “Squeaky,” is a young Black girl growing up in Harlem. Squeaky is one of three siblings, and as the only girl, she is tasked with the responsibility of caring for her brother, Raymond, who has an intellectual disability. Although Raymond is technically older than Squeaky, his disability and the fact that she must supervise and guide him through daily life makes her feel like she is the older one. While she recognizes that looking after Raymond is not always easy, she also takes great pride in being his caretaker. Squeaky is fiercely protective of her brother, and she is not afraid to let people know.

Squeaky is also a passionate runner, and she is self-assured in her ability to win any race she enters. When she runs into her rival, Gretchen—another runner—and her posse, Squeaky refuses to let them psyche her out of the upcoming May Day Festival relay, where they will both compete. She has been practicing for the big race and believes that her skills and hard work are enough to guarantee victory.

Squeaky exhibits an inherent understanding of who she is and what she wants several times throughout the text.