Noah is a hardworking, poetic man living in the coastal town of New Bern. Raised in a working-class environment, he finds peace in physical labor, reading Walt Whitman, and observing nature. He spends his days kayaking and repairing his old home to keep busy. Beneath his quiet exterior, he harbors a deep attachment to a summer romance from fourteen years ago.

Allie is a twenty-nine-year-old woman engaged to a successful attorney. She comes from a wealthy Southern family that places a high value on social status and propriety. She possesses a natural talent for painting but stopped pursuing art to conform to her family's practical expectations. She struggles with a sense of restlessness regarding her upcoming marriage and her past.

Lon is an affluent, handsome attorney who is eight years older than Allie. He possesses great confidence and a steady sense of humor, making him highly successful in his career. He provides stability for Allie, though his intense focus on his profession leaves little room for poetic romance.

Gus is a seventy-year-old Black man who lives down the road from Noah in New Bern. He visits a few nights a week to share drinks and conversation. Having experienced profound love in his own past, he understands human nature and suspects that Noah uses constant labor to distract himself from a broken heart.

Anne is Allie's mother, a pragmatic woman deeply entrenched in Southern aristocracy. She believes that social status and financial stability are essential components of a successful marriage. She takes active steps to separate her daughter from influences she deems inappropriate for their social class.

Fin is a childhood friend of Noah's in the small town of New Bern. He is socially outgoing and plays a crucial role in Noah's teenage years by introducing him to the visiting girls during the summer. He observes his friend's immediate attraction and correctly predicts the intense nature of the resulting romance.

Sarah is a local girl who spends time with Fin and the visiting families during the summer festival. She serves as a social bridge within their teenage friend group, passing along news and information between the locals and the wealthy summer visitors.

Morris is a businessman who owns a scrapyard in New Jersey. He hires Noah when the young man leaves North Carolina to seek a fresh start. He recognizes and rewards hard work, eventually forming a strong professional bond with his reliable employee.

Dr. Barnwell is a physician who oversees the care of residents at the nursing facility. He conducts medical tests, monitors cognitive decline, and discusses symptoms with family members, providing a clinical perspective on the residents' health.

Evelyn is a nurse at the Creekside Extended Care Facility. She manages the daily schedules of the elderly residents, providing compassionate care and accommodating the specific emotional needs of the people living on her floor.