Jeffrey Dalton struggles with mental illness and his sexuality while languishing in a dysfunctional military family plagued by drugs, alcohol, and despair. Set in the Middle Atlantic Northeast during the late 1970s and 1980s, Jeffrey's socialization is deeply impacted by neglect and emotional abuse. His father Murray struggled with bi-polar disorder, gambling, and sex addiction. Jeffrey's mother, Tanya, was an alcoholic and a native of France, and could never adjust to the superficiality of life in the United States. Jeffrey Dalton's story offers a unique slice of life to those experiencing difficulty with interpersonal relationships, homophobia, and mental illness in an often hostile work environment.. It was a time of massive social change, with large numbers of women entering the workforce out of economic necessity. As the nuclear family imploded, many adolescents formed small pods, while the use of drugs and alcohol became commonplace during the "me" generation. Going to college was seen as essential to success in life, yet Jeffrey was totally unprepared for academics due to depression and family instability.