Red Dirt

Griffith grows up in Pine Apple under the care of his eccentric Aunt Summer, barefoot on red dirt and tracing epitaphs. He longs to leave, yet his life is pulled by family ties, Summer's fragility, and a growing bond with Lee Todd. Caught between departure and responsibility, he searches for a place that will truly feel like home.

Lee arrives from Louisiana as a free-spirited traveler who offers help with Griffith's cottage and a promise of adventure. He becomes a close ally and then a romantic focal point, challenging Griffith to redefine where he belongs. His warmth and secrets drive the core tension between leaving Pine Apple and staying to build a life there.

Summer is Griffith's enigmatic and agoraphobic aunt, whose erratic behavior masks a deeper history and guilt. Her care shapes Griffith's childhood, even as she guards painful truths about his lineage. Her evolving relationship with Emily helps unlock reconciliation and a path toward healing for the family.

Emily is Summer's sister's daughter and Griffith's cousin, with a complicated blend of affection for Griffith and a desire not to lose her own future. She confronts the couple's bond and fights for a place in Pine Apple, ultimately choosing to follow her heart toward New Orleans. Her presence drives the emotional evolution of the central relationships.

Lynn is the daughter of Summer's sister and Emily's mother, a link between old wounds and new possibilities. She initially distances herself from Pine Apple's turmoil but ultimately supports Emily's decision to leave for New Orleans and helps bridge generations within the family. Her quiet presence underscores the theme of intergenerational memory.