Cassie Greenberg is a 32-year-old artist living in Chicago. She is short and curvy, with short hair and freckles. She completed her MFA in visual arts, specializing in sculpture and painting. After finishing school, Cassie struggles to find consistent employment to pay her bills, which results in her failure to pay her rent and her subsequent eviction. Her financial struggles lead her to move in with Frederick, which kicks off their romantic relationship and her character arc. 

As Cassie and Frederick become closer, both of them become meaningfully changed: Frederick becomes more comfortable in the present, and Cassie becomes more confident in herself and her art. For example, after moving in with Frederick, Cassie decides to enter into the art contest Scott tells her about, thinking, “Maybe nothing would come of it, just like nothing had come from most of my attempts […] Then again, maybe my luck was finally starting to turn around” (71). Even early on in her relationship with Frederick, her confidence begins to grow and inspires her to both create and seek recognition for her creations.

Cassie’s art is an integral piece of her characterization. Her artistic practice is reflective of her personality: Both are unique.