This is the story of four, lifelong, best friends - Fran, Pearl, Ruby and Violet, who attend the auction of Henry Phillips, the husband of their late-friend, Virginia. Henry, no longer able to take care of himself, is forced to leave the farm life behind and retire to a nursing home. With his unwanted transition, comes the selling of his remaining possessions in a simple country auction. Treasures and heirlooms that his greedy children do not care to inherit.As the sale proceeds, these elderly Southern ladies share with each other the memories and adventures that are connected to many of the items up for auction. Tales of apple pies, lost lovers, and murder. Many of the local folk and neighbours gather to bid on the household items at hand, but it's Emmett, the worldly auctioneer, who is downright curious about the quiet outsider. Why is someone as sophisticated as him, at a small-town auction? Who is this unknown wealthy Frenchman? And why is he watching the four ladies so intently? This is the story of one simple day, at a not so simple auction.