Supporting Characters Mason and Claudia Jones and "God"

I've been writing about the psychological make ups of my characters in my upcoming novel "Divergent Lives."

We've analyzed the two main characters' profiles: Adina's as well as RJ's. You can see how the events they have no control over have occurred in their lives shaping who they are.

The same goes for both sets of parents. We've looked at Adina's parents Cruzita and Jesus Rosario here as well as RJ's adoptive parents here.

Today I want to talk a little bit about the supporting characters: Mason and Claudia Jones and "God."

First let's talk about Mason and Claudia Jones. Mason is Tommy's boyhood friend. He is, in effect, Tommy's brother. They grew up together in East Harlem with Tommy being taken in by Mason's family after his parents died tragically in a car accident. Mason is now a New York City homicide detective who feels a deep and abiding love for his "brother" and a sense of responsibility for him. When Tommy arrives at Adina's apartment and finds that she has been murdered, Mason is the first person he calls. Later, Mason arrives at the scene of the crime and is devastated by what he sees. He ultimately puts the pieces together to figure out what happened but not before another tragedy takes place.

His wife Claudia is brash and controlling. Though her role in the story is much smaller, she is somewhat of a diva who can't keep her nose out of Tommy's business under the ruse of the love she has for him. She constantly teases him about his love life. When Tommy finally brings Adina around to meet the Joneses, she has no problem letting Adina know how she feels about her. Adina, being the sociopath that she is, could care less and dismisses Claudia's concerns by moving on to something else during their conversation.

All of the above notwithstanding, both Mason and Claudia have a deep affection for Tommy and only want to see that he is happy. The problem is that Claudia thinks only she can judge who can make Tommy happy; who he should love. 

Now, "God" is another story. "God" is a creature that RJ encounters when he leaves home (Lebanon, Pennsylvania) for New York City and takes up residence there with his new companion. This is where he becomes the proprietor of a popular Riverdale neighborhood restaurant he quickly renames "Rhys' Pieces."

When Rhys/RJ isn't working or finding victims, "God" is his trusted companion. On occasion, Rhys/RJ will bring someone home and when that person makes a negative comment about "God", it raises Rhys/RJ's ire. This is one of the things that sets him off because "God" is his most prized companion; one he rewards after almost every kill.

Everyone in this story has an issue, including the two protagonists, that shapes the lives of everyone around them.

Above all, this story is nothing but a tangled mess of lies (by omission) and deceit where innocents pay with their lives.

Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832)

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" Sir Walter Scott, Marmion, Canto vi. Stanza 17; Scottish author & novelist

~~ML