The book takes place in four different locations. Its starts out in Chicago Illinois, where Celaya's father owns an upholstery business. The family lives in a dreary apartment that is overcrowded by furniture that is too big for the place. Celaya does not have her own room, and sleeps in one of the reclining chairs that her father brings home from his business.
The story then moves to Mexico City where the evil grandmother and the little Grandfather are introduced and their stories explained.