Thirteen-year-old Layla Jay finds religion just to satisfy her grandmother's wishes. Feeling awkward about the deception, she comes to believe that almost everything that comes thereafter in her life is a result of her deceitful action.

In Zebulon, Mississippi, in 1963, Layla Jay and her mother, Frieda, have lived with her grandparents since the death of Layla Jay's father. She's disappointed to leave the grandparents she loves dearly when her mother marries a man Layla Jay simply doesn't trust and they move to town to begin a new life.

While her mother and Wallace try to give the impression of being a happily married couple, Layla Jay muddles through life discovering boys, love, sex and getting her heart broken in the process. Then something happens to her stepfather that puts Layla Jay and Frieda's lives in limbo.

Layla's first deception at church all those months ago has lead to others. The lies are becoming easier, and they now seem necessary. Layla Jay feels personally responsible for all that's happened and will do anything to help her mother. And correspondingly, Frieda feels the same and hopes to protect her daughter.

This is a beautifully written story about a young woman growing up and the delicate balance of the mother and daughter relationship. Will Layla Jay ever disclose her secret to anyone? Only the final pages reveal the truth.