The brothers, Peter and Andrew Amonovitch, are fraternal twin brothers, age 14 when the story begins. They are called out of school, informed that their mother is facing death after falling or being pushed down the basement stairs by their alcoholic father. On her deathbed their mother pleads with Andrew to watch over his defiant aggressive brother. Andrew agrees to fulfill her plea. This proves a formidable task. Andrew tells the story of his enduring challenge to uphold the commitment to his mother.