Cyrus Ahriman hates his life. He hates his parents. He isn't too fond of high school Queen Bee, Dawn Larkspur either. During the summer of 1993, he takes a job babysitting a five-year-old who is carrying secrets that are too heavy to bear. That thing with Dawn changes, too. Cyrus finds himself falling in love with her, and he grows to love five-year-old Jack. He also enjoys new friendships with local bohemians in the park. Life starts looking up.

When Cyrus and Dawn arrange an unlicensed punk rock concert, though, everything Cyrus spent the summer building comes crashing down around him. Then, just when everything looks better, a still deeper bottom remains below.

Cyrus has nothing more to lose...except himself, and right now that's touch and go.