Joan Brooks, a daughter of wealthy Canadian socialites, meets Tom, the man she marries unexpectedly in her yard. He weasels his way into her family circle. After they marry, Tom moves her to the U.S. It is 1950, and they are happy for five years. During that time they have five children. Then Tom begins to drink heavily, lie and forge checks. Joan winds up poverty stricken, evicted and estranged from her family. Her two oldest daughters finally commit her to the state mental institution.

The book tells about the teen life of two orphaned sisters raised by a married sister. They were not given love and nurturing. All they received was a minimal amount of basics as they moved toward adulthood.