Yale is a 31-year-old development worker at the Brigg Gallery at Northwestern University in 1985. Having limited support from his conservative biological parents, he relies heavily on his chosen family of gay friends in Chicago. He is cautious and deeply committed to preserving the legacies of artists and loved ones alike.

Fiona manages a second-hand store that benefits an LGBTQIA healthcare foundation. In 1985, she is a fierce 21-year-old ally protecting her brother's chosen family. Thirty years later, she travels to Paris in search of her estranged daughter, carrying decades of complex grief and survivor's guilt.

Nico is Fiona's older brother and a talented set designer. Cast out by his conservative parents after coming out as gay, he builds a vibrant life in Chicago. The novel opens with his chosen family holding a joyous gathering in his honor, serving as a defiant contrast to his biological family's sanitized church funeral.

Nora is Fiona's great-aunt, a woman in her nineties who appears decades younger. Having lived in Paris during the 1920s as an art student and model, she possesses a valuable collection of sketches and paintings. She wishes to donate this collection to the Brigg Gallery to ensure artists from her own generation are remembered.

Charlie is Yale's British partner and a prominent figure in the Chicago gay scene. He runs a newspaper covering gay lifestyle and politics. He is highly vocal about safe sex and monogamy, though his outward righteousness masks deep-seated insecurities regarding his relationship with Yale.

Claire is Fiona and Damian's only child. She harbors deep resentment toward her mother, feeling secondary to Fiona's grief and dedication to the LGBTQIA community. Seeking her own path, she joins a religious group in Colorado before eventually settling in Paris as a street artist.

Richard is an established gay photographer known for documenting life in Chicago. He acts as a paternal figure to his younger friends, hosting gatherings at his home. In 2015, he lives in Paris and provides Fiona with a place to stay during her search.

Julian is a flirtatious, warm-hearted actor within the Chicago friend group. He is known for his physical affection and casual approach to relationships. He originally moved to Chicago to find a safer environment after growing up in a small town in Georgia.

Terrence is Nico's long-term romantic partner. He faces dismissive treatment from hospital staff and Nico's parents, who refuse to recognize him as family during medical emergencies. He remains a beloved figure in the Chicago group, eventually taking ownership of Nico's cat, Roscoe.

Teresa is Charlie's mother. She warmly embraces her son's partner, acting as a surrogate maternal figure for Yale in the absence of his own supportive parents. She provides a sense of family stability for the couple during turbulent times.

Bill is the director of the Brigg Gallery at Northwestern University. Nearing retirement, he views the acquisition of Nora Lerner's art collection as his career's swan song. He is married to a woman but maintains a hidden private life in the city.

Roman is a soft-spoken graduate assistant at the Brigg Gallery. Hailing from a Mormon family in California, he dresses entirely in black and presents an aura of sexual inexperience and social naivety to his colleagues.

Cecily is the Director of Planned Giving at Northwestern University. She maintains a stony, professional exterior at work but harbors a desire to socialize and attend parties in her off-hours. She acts as a vital bridge between the university's interests and Yale's personal life.

Kurt is Cecily's son. In his twenties, he becomes involved with Claire and follows her to a conservative Christian commune in rural Colorado. His relationship with Claire is a source of intense anxiety for Fiona, who views him with suspicion.

Nicolette is Claire's three-year-old daughter. Living in Paris, she possesses blonde curls and a name that instantly reminds Fiona of her late brother Nico.

Damian is Fiona's former university professor and ex-husband. Despite their divorce, he maintains regular contact with Fiona, particularly sharing her concerns regarding Claire's whereabouts and safety in Europe.

Arnaud is a private detective operating in Paris. He assists Fiona in tracking down Claire and Kurt by conducting surveillance and investigating local leads throughout the city.

Frank is Nora's son. He strongly opposes his mother's decision to donate her valuable art collection to the Brigg Gallery, viewing it as a loss of his family's inheritance. He utilizes his connections to wealthy university donors to intimidate Yale.

Debra is Nora's granddaughter and live-in caregiver. She initially supports Nora's art donation out of respect, but grows intensely resentful after learning the true financial value of the collection she is missing out on.

Allen and Esmé Sharp are wealthy, artistically minded donors associated with Northwestern University. They are enthusiastic supporters of Yale's efforts to authenticate and curate Nora's art collection, frequently offering material aid to further the project.

Jake is an athletic freelance photographer in his thirties. He meets Fiona on a flight to Paris and attempts to leverage their acquaintance to network with established artists in the city, leading to a casual romance.

Asher is a handsome lawyer and dedicated gay rights activist from New York City. He frequently argues with Charlie over the politics of the health crisis, viewing rhetoric around safe sex and testing as counterproductive shaming.

Teddy is a handsome PhD student who runs in Yale and Nico's social circle. He approaches the ongoing health crisis with a focus on systemic blame rather than individual judgment, refusing to shame his friends for their choices.

Serge is Richard's handsome younger partner living in Paris in 2015. He warmly welcomes Fiona into their home and actively assists her in navigating the city during her search for Claire.

Dr. Cheng is a medical professional treating patients in the Chicago gay community. He provides care and testing for Nico and subsequently becomes Yale's primary physician.

Katsu is a member of the Chicago community fighting a difficult legal battle for disability benefits. His experiences illustrate the bureaucratic neglect facing the gay community within the medical establishment.

Dolly is Bill Lindsey's sweet, somewhat homely wife. She frequently hosts dinners for her husband's colleagues and appears completely supportive of his career at the university.