The story is set in 1979, in a Santa Barbara, California boarding house. The semi-autobiographical protagonist is Jamie, a 15-year-old high school student. His mother, Dorothea, a divorcee, runs the boarding house. Abbie, a tenant, is a photographer, and is being treated for cervical cancer. William, another tenant, is a carpenter and mechanic, who lived on a hippie commune. Jamie's best friend is Julie, who often spends the night with Jamie but does not want to have sex with him because it would destroy their friendship.