Thirteen-year-old Maureen Lindstrom has serious misgivings when her grandmother comes to live with her and her mother. They've never been close, despite living in the same town of Denton, Florida, where Maureen has grown up. Despite her hope that their relationship would improve, it doesn't start well and only gets worse. Meanwhile, Maureen has a new friend, a boy named Nick, whose family has moved twice in the last three months, first from his lifelong home in California to Michigan, then to Denton. Worse, Nick is not allowed to contact friends from either place. When the reason for the sudden moves comes to light, tragedy ensues--a tragedy that leaves Nick wondering if life is worth the effort.