The House on Sage Road
The Aldrich House (built in the 1970's)
Marcel(71) and Annette(69) Aldrich
Marcel Étienne Aldrich
Age: 71
Role: Patriarch of the Aldrich family
Occupation: Owner of Aldrich’s Woodwork
Personality
Calm authority
Deeply protective of family
Romantic toward Annette even after decades of marriage
Hardworking to the point of stubbornness
Speaks Louisiana Creole when emotional
Character Notes
Marcel came to Saint Delphine from Louisiana as a young man and built the Aldrich house himself. Over time he became one of the most respected men in town. Though he rarely raises his voice, people know not to test him or his family.
Despite his serious demeanor, he enjoys teasing Annette and his grandchildren.
One thing Marcel says often to the people he loves is:
“Don’t make me come looking for you.”
In the Aldrich family this phrase means:
stay safe
stay out of trouble
remember who you belong to
It is both a joke and a quiet warning.
Everyone in the family has heard Marcel say it to them at least once.
Annette Grace Aldrich (née Walter)
Age: ~69
Role: Matriarch of the Aldrich family
Occupation: Seamstress
Personality
Strong-willed
Warm and nurturing
Deeply faithful
Protective of her husband and children
Practical and emotionally intelligent
Character Notes
Annette comes from the Walter family, one of Saint Delphine’s founding families. She is the emotional center of the Aldrich household. She keeps the family grounded and is known in town for her kindness as well as her firmness when necessary.
Her favorite phrase toward Marcel is:
“Marcel… gon somewhere hea.”
Everyone in the family knows that Marcel may run the house in many ways, but Annette is the one who keeps it steady.
Second Generation
Marcel “MJ” Aldrich Jr.
Age: 52
Role: Oldest Aldrich child
Personality
Responsible
Quiet and steady
Protective father
Loyal to family
Practical thinker
Character Notes
MJ grew up watching his father build both a house and a reputation in Saint Delphine. Becoming a father young forced him to mature quickly. He carries a strong sense of duty toward his family and often acts as the steady presence among the siblings.
Marcel often tells MJ:
“You got your mama patience and my stubbornness. Lord help everybody”
Meaning MJ is more like him than he may want him to be.
Child:
Bakari Marcellus “Bootney” Aldrich
Cherie Aldrich
Age: 44
Role: Middle Aldrich child
Occupation: CNA
Personality
Warm
Compassionate
Easygoing
Protective of Amaris
Loyal to her parents
Character Notes
Cherie became a mother young when she had Amaris at sixteen. Though the situation caused tension at first, the family rallied around her. She has always remained close to the Aldrich house and maintains a strong bond with both Marcel and Annette.
Marcel often says to her:
“Girl, you got your mama’s heart.”
Child:
Amaris Shansai "Maris" Aldrich
Analyse Reed (Nee Aldrich)
Age: 39
Role: Youngest Aldrich sibling
Personality
Organized
Nurturing
Balanced and calm
Family-oriented
Protective of siblings
Character Notes
Analyse is the sibling whose life appears the most traditionally settled. She has her own home, a husband, and four children. Within the family she often acts as a quiet mediator and caretaker, making sure everyone stays connected.
Marcel often tells her:
“You the one keepin’ everybody together.”
Third Generation
Bakari Marcellus “Bootney” Aldrich
Age: 29
Occupation: Welder
Personality
Loud
Charismatic
Loyal
Playful
Protective of family
Character Notes
Bakari is MJ’s son and Marcel’s first grandchild. His nickname “Bootney” has followed him since childhood. He is extremely skilled at welding and occasionally helps with carpentry work. Though he gets on Marcel’s nerves with his loud personality, the two share a deep bond.
Marcel constantly tells him:
“Bootney, quit all that loud talkin’. You gon blow my eardrums.”
Amaris Shansai "Maris" Aldrich
Age: 28
Occupation: High school history teacher at Delphine Parish High
Personality
Thoughtful
Intelligent
Observant
Soft-spoken with new people
Passionate about history
Character Notes
Amaris is the Daughter of Cherie. She was raised largely in the Aldrich house by Marcel and Annette. She spent summers in Haiti with her father until he passed when she was 15. She teaches African-American history at the local high school and is widely respected by her students. Though she keeps to herself, she maintains close friendships and strong ties to her family.
Marcel often says to her:
"You my heart, girl"
NOTE!: ALL OF THESE IMAGES ARE AI GENERATED
