The Fall Risk

Seth, a recently divorced arborist nursing both an injured ankle and a wounded heart, is the male main character. Despite his physical and emotional wounds, Seth remains emotionally available. When he meets his neighbor Charlotte and learns they are trapped together for the weekend, instead of retreating to his apartment, Seth creates a physical space for connection and makes space in his heart for a new friend. He recognizes Charlotte’s unease and gently offers companionship, suggesting they spend time together in the neutral space between their apartments. On ostensibly the worst day of his life, the day his divorce is finalized, Seth has a chance encounter that ultimately alters the course of his life. Fate places Charlotte in his path, and what begins as an inconvenient situation during a holiday weekend slowly unfolds into a meaningful connection.

Seth’s passion for trees has sometimes made him feel alienated from others, a part of himself he has learned to keep tucked away to avoid judgment or dismissal. His enthusiasm for arboriculture has often been misunderstood or overlooked, making him hesitant to share this deeply personal aspect of himself. When Charlotte surprises him by showing genuine interest in his vocation, Seth feels seen, and he can be entirely himself without apology.