Ellie a talented young musician with the opportunity of a lifetime is torn between obligation to her family and the chance to realize her dream. Saddled with the care of her five siblings as a result of an alcoholic mother a breathtakingly irresponsible father and a terrifyingly misguided preacher of a brother, Ellie falls in love with an aspiring young writer.

A bated tension provides the milieu for this measured narrative about reserved honesty and stunted youth. Will Kragen has done something wrong. But the discovery of his deed is preempted by the appearance of his father eager to start their camping trip. The foreboding discovery of Will's mischief is tardily eclipsed during his days of forest dwelling leading to an abrupt but quiet disclosure.