In the shadow of the September 2001 attacks, Tassie Keltjin, a twenty-year-old college student, navigates the complexities of adulthood in a university town. As she immerses herself in literature, her part-time job as a nanny introduces her to a family that is both enigmatic and alluring. As Tassie grows closer to their adopted daughter, her own provincial life feels increasingly foreign. Throughout the year, she confronts the harsh realities of racism, the trauma of war, and the rampant carelessness in the name of love. This journey of self-discovery propels Tassie into a profound transformation, leading her to a newfound estrangement from the person she once was.