Claire’s father Louis is the manager of a local car dealership. To get there he was dedicated and worked hard. He worries that lack of focus will keep Claire from success and happiness. In his view, discipline is the only path to reward.

Evelyn, Claire’s mom, doesn’t have as much to do now as when she was raising Claire. So she takes care of the house and her husband, reads pop psychology books, and enjoys thinking and talking about the meaning of life. Though her research comes less from Plato and Socrates than from Oprah and Jerry Springer.

Pasha and James, the couple next door, seem to Claire to be perfect in every way. They look great, are successful and stylish, and are even very nice! Half of Claire wants to be jealous and hate them, half of her wants to find a way to be just like them.

Bradley, Claire’s dog is her most loyal and unjudging friend. He’s just a dog, but his feelings run deep. He can’t speak in human language, but he and Claire communicate in that way close pets and their owners understand.

Jeff, Claire’s upstairs neighbor, is a simple guy who works construction, loves sports, burgers and pizza. He doesn’t aspire to greatness, he just likes to relax and enjoy life as it comes.

The step into adulthood is a scary one. So much is new, unfamiliar, frightening, incomprehensible. Claire has just taken this step. She’s moved from her parents’ to her own apartment, to start life as an “adult”. Armed with a good heart and an optimistic spirit, her challenge is she still has so much to learn about life: the nuts and bolts of managing a job, a home, how people interact, relationships, planning for her future, and so much more.

Claire and Sammi are close friends. Sammi is confident, stylish and smart. Sometimes she’s too blunt. She enjoys being with Claire because Claire is bright-eyed and optimistic, and Claire likes that Sammi is pragmatic and down-to-business.