Aster Jenkins is the main character of Coming Home to Cat Eye Creek. They’re nonbinary, reckless, and caring for friends and family. However, Aster isn’t the best at decision-making, as the first thing he does in the book is drive through the mountains in the middle of a fierce snowstorm.
However, Aster’s many friends are usually there to help them when they stumble. They have friends throughout the US, though they lost touch with most of them as their father moved often for work. Vincent and Aster’s friends in Bellbutton are exceptions to this, as Vincent lived with Aster in Cat Eye Creek every summer when they we’re kids, and Aster friends in Bellbutton are nearby and recent.
Aster’s parent’s divorced when they were two, and their mother left entirely, leaving Aster with their father. Aster hates liars because their mother promised them she’d return, only for her to never come back.
Aster moved with their father, and while they usually made fast friends wherever they ended up, that wasn’t always the case. So, Aster is always especially nice to newcomers and outsiders in the community, because they understand what it’s like to feel alone.
Aster’s true childhood home is Cat Eye Creek, where Aster spent every summer since they were three. They got to know the kids in town, but stuck by their friend Vincent, even while he was getting bullied. This led to them becoming best friends for life, even if they ended up falling out of touch.
Aster’s grandmother also took the place of their mother during this time, helping Aster discover their identity and helping them feel comfortable in their own skin. She always made time for both Aster and Vincent, becoming the one adult in their lives they could depend on, no matter what. She taught them lessons in life they’ll never forget and was generally the best grandmother she could possibly be.
In recent years, Aster hasn’t been doing too well. After high school, Aster’s father remarried and sent Aster off to college, where Aster struggled academically. After dropping out of college, they became a waiter at a restaurant and saved enough to move out on their own. But after the owner met Aster, they were fired, likely due to Aster’s identity. Aster attempted to sue for discrimination, selling off their apartment and belongings, but still losing the suit.
Aster stayed with multiple friends during and after the suit but struggled to find a job due to being fired from their last one. However, they didn’t want to be burden on their friends, so Aster eventually moved back in with their father, and his wife and new child. Aster felt like an outsider in their home, at least, until their father told them their grandmother died and they weren’t going to the funeral. This resulted in a massive fight lasting the span of several days until one final blow-up led to Aster leaving a day earlier than planned and heading to Cat Eye Creek in the middle of a massive snowstorm.
As mentioned earlier, Aster is a very caring person, but this can be a double-edged sword. It took almost dying multiple times throughout the story for them to realize they’d be happier living with Vincent in Cat Eye Creek, even if this meant ending things with their father once and for all. And a few of Aster’s ‘friends’ have landed them in hot water in the past, including jail time.
As for Aster’s recklessness, it can lead to poor decisions. But it also means they’re quick to come to friend’s defense, quick to act in dire situations, and keep their cool under high pressure.
Ultimately, Aster’s the person you want in your corner when things go down. They’ll do their best to keep you safe, cheer you up when you’re sad, and is fun to hang out with because they have absolutely no filter.
