Rocky is a woman in her mid-fifties managing the physical and emotional challenges of perimenopause. She serves as the emotional center and primary caretaker of her family, cherishing their annual summer trips to a quaint, rustic Cape Cod cottage they have rented for over twenty years. Deeply nostalgic but sometimes overwhelmed by her caretaking role, she customizes elaborate sandwiches for each family member's beach lunch and struggles with the transition into life as an empty nester. She also carries unspoken grief from her childbearing years.

Nick is Rocky's even-tempered, affable husband. He provides a stabilizing presence in the family with his quick forgiveness and reliance on humor to defuse tension. While his patience is a virtue, his historically hands-off approach to emotional parenting leaves Rocky to shoulder the brunt of the family's domestic burdens, creating an ongoing, complicated dynamic in their marriage.

Willa is Rocky and Nick's college-aged daughter, currently studying at Barnard. She is gay, socially conscious, and unafraid to playfully call out her family's privileges. Willa enjoys a highly communicative and deeply affectionate bond with her mother, often engaging in witty banter and sharing in the family's deep nostalgia for their vacation traditions.

Jamie is Rocky and Nick's eldest child, a young man in his early twenties working in marketing or engineering at a tech startup. He shares his father's easygoing nature and sense of humor, making him a steady presence during the family vacation. He is deeply committed to his girlfriend, Maya, and values the traditions of his family's annual trips to the Cape.

Maya is Jamie's long-term girlfriend, a beautiful student finishing her PhD in paleontology. She fits seamlessly into the family dynamic, possessing a deep emotional intelligence that allows her to connect easily with everyone. She is comfortable in her own skin and frequently engages Rocky in thoughtful conversations about parenting and family structures.

Mort is Rocky's elderly father. As he ages, he has become increasingly intractable and prone to verbal gaffes, complicating his relationship with his daughter. He views himself as entirely capable despite his advancing age and harbors significant family history that he expects others to intuitively know, leading to friction during the vacation.

Alice is Rocky's aging mother. Though she attempts to participate in the family's jovial vacation routines, she is visibly showing her age. She possesses a tendency to downplay serious personal matters, leaving her daughter worried about her declining stamina and hidden medical vulnerabilities.

Chicken is the beloved family cat who accompanies the family on their annual summer trips to Cape Cod. The pet serves as a quiet, comforting presence in the busy cottage, often found relaxing with the younger generation.