Christine wants nothing more in life than to fit in and live independently, but her need for assistance because of her mental illness (schizophrenia) makes that desire very difficult to achieve. Her mother, Helen, tries to cope as best she can in the days before therapy and medications were common, and she also does everything she can to protect her younger child, Judy. Judy takes advantage of the shield provided by her mother and, for the most part, lives outside the shadow of her sister's illness. Judy eventually moves to New York City and has little contact with her sister. Then, Judy's life is irrevocably changed when her mother suddenly dies. Christine needs her and Judy is overwhelmed by the prospect of having to care for her. Little by little, the two sisters forge a real relationship as Christine comes to realize that she does need help and Judy sees that she can provide it.
