Paul Cormier is guilty of being born, driving away his father and ruining his mother's life, and of being gay, driving him away from his God. He learns to live under these burdens, but, when, as a young teacher, he fails to act to prevent a tragedy, he suffers a guilt that torments him for the rest of his life. Alan Ricks, 18, finds himself dangerously over his head in the club and drug world of 1990's Manhattan. Can the two, antipodal in so many respects, seize the chance to bring each other to safety and peace?