Born in 1921 to Exalta and Pennington Nichols, Kate married the charismatic Wilder Foley and had three children with him. She discovered that Wilder, although considered a war hero in the community, had bipolar disorder and self-medicated with drugs, alcohol, and philandering. The latter resulted in Wilder’s having a child with Lorraine Crimmins, which humiliated Kate. Kate believes that her argument with Wilder about this child caused him to die by suicide. Her second marriage is much happier; David Levin treats her well and tries to help her quit drinking excessively.

Kate has been stymied by her need to maintain propriety because Exalta (who, like Kate, drinks excessively) taught Kate to sublimate negative feelings and control outward emotion. When she isn't drinking, Kate is a good person. She values her marriage, is kind to Pick despite his paternity, and is fiercely protective of her children. However, deep connection is difficult for her because she’s accustomed to keeping secrets and not confiding in others. As the novel progresses, Kate shows growth as she increasingly confesses her feelings and shares the secrets she withheld, realizing that her behavior is harming her relationship with David. She starts to own her life independent of Exalta’s stifling influence.