Not understanding why she is talking to a counselor regarding the death of her childhood friend Johnny, Gloria soon realizes the horrible truth of the situation when she begins to reflect back on his life. The early warning signs of domestic violence and abuse were everywhere, from childhood until Johnny's tragic demise. Gloria tells the counselor, Dave Yellow Quil, how Carolyn was in love with Johnny and that he could do no wrong in her eyes. In the end it becomes evident that she, like Johnny's mother before her, lived in constant fear for her life.
The counselor is able to help Gloria come to terms with this domestic violence tragedy and shows her how she can begin to build a support structure for herself, for Carolyn, Johnny's partner and victim, as well as for Carolyn's unborn child.