Hester, unrecognized and unwelcomed, barges in on her brother Johnnie after 12 years for a quick hello and goodbye. They churn through the once-promising past to try to comprehend their bleak present. She searches for the concealed or imaginary inheritance that can truly make her free. The brother and sister confront family animosities and recriminations, memories and guilt, responsibilities and lies, and feelings of despair.