Lee and her teenage son, Hank, who has been confined to a mental institution for setting their house on fire, live a strained life. After years of estrangement, they are brought back into contact with Lee's sister, Bessie, who has cared for their father marooned to his bed and their eccentric aunt in Florida. The return is spurred by Bessie's diagnosis with leukemia, which necessitates a bone marrow donor; this grim reality prompts Lee to take Hank down to Florida, hoping to mend bridges and potentially save Bessie's life.

The family reunites in Florida, igniting a journey of self-discovery, reconciliation, and the exploration of familial bonds amidst crisis. Bessie, despite her illness, remains the backbone of the family, showing strength and love that begin to heal the deep-seated rifts. Lee confronts her avoidance of responsibility and begins to understand the sacrifices Bessie has made over the years, while Hank grapples with his own demons and the realization of what family means. This tangled web of relationships, set against the backdrop of illness and the ticking clock of life, highlights the fragility and resilience of family ties and how crises can bring out the underlying love that might have been neglected or taken for granted.