Michael and Corinne Mulvaney are the parents of four
children: Michael, Patrick, Marianne, and Judd. Living in a
picture perfect farm in upstate New York, the Mulvaneys own
a successful roofing company; Michael Mulvaney is considered
a serious businessman. Corinne is a bubbly, earthy mother
whose life revolves around the family unit. For nearly
twenty years the Mulvaney clan thrives, admired throughout
Mt. Ephraim for being the model family.
On St. Valentine's night, 1976, Marianne Mulvaney, after
prom, goes to a party where she becomes intoxicated and is
raped by an upperclassman whose father is a well respected
businessman and friend of Mr. Mulvaney.
Marianne's rape is the beginning of a tumultuous
fifteen-year period. Her father, lost and angry, does not
understand why his daughter will not press charges against
her attacker. He can no longer look at his daughter the same
way, and sends her to live with a distant relative of
Corinne's in Salamanca, NY. Marianne, moving haphazardly
from place to place, continues to wait for her father to
call on her—but he never does.
For the other family members, things continue to get worse.
All three of the Mulvaney boys leave home angrily, never to
return. One even attempts to murder his sister's rapist.
Michael Mulvaney's casual drinking turns into full-fledged
alcoholism. Gradually, his reputation as a respected
businessman disintegrates. The Mulvaneys are forced into
bankruptcy and forced to sell the farm.
Eventually, Corinne and Michael split up. After many years,
the Mulvaneys meet once again in a family reunion at
Corinne's new home which she shares with a friend. The
family has extended to include spouses and children.
Finally, the Mulvaneys come full circle and receive closure.