The book begins with a tragedy: Ray Gilbert is shot in front of his girlfriend Jade and her six-year-old son, Gee. The impact of Ray’s murder spreads beyond Jade and Gee, a ripple effect that touches the lives of Ray’s friend Robbie Ventura, Robbie’s wife, and his daughters.

Gee and Jade are the most immediately affected by Ray’s death. Gee grows up with faded memories of that terrible day, but without the guidance necessary to help him deal with the emotions that stem from what he witnessed and what he lost. Jade is determined to hide her own grief in order to protect her son from it, as she is afraid that if she reveals too much of her own emotion, it will cause rage to build inside of him and drive him to act out. Jade also wants Gee to know that the two of them can manage on their own and still build the life Ray wanted for them, one that does not include wallowing in their sorrow. However, Jade’s attempts to stifle their grief and push them both forward prevent Gee from learning how to cope. This carries into adulthood; adult Gee, now going by Nelson, is unable to support his wife, Noelle, when she has a miscarriage, as he has no frame of reference for how to healthily deal with grief and loss.