In 1951, Josh Lowen, an eighteen-year-old student at Bartlett College in northern New England, allows himself to be involved in a tragic criminal act. Expelled from the school and humiliated, and feeling that his life is over, Josh wallows in misery with no expectation of hearing from anyone. A childhood pal, Larry Gerst, remembering times when Josh was there for him, writes to offer his ear and friendship, but Josh, consumed by guilt about his unfortunate choices, buries the letter in a drawer.

Larry, torn between pursuing an interest in art and making money, continues on in college....