Three poor Black kids in rural Mississippi reap the consequences of their family's cycle of abuse, addiction, and violence.

In the years 1986 and 1998, three Black children living in Mississippi deal with poverty, violence, and abuse. Young Kari, the main character, is a talented pianist who hopes to pursue a career in it one day. Her sister Leigh is struggling to hide her lesbian relationship with her girlfriend Paula. Their cousin Sammy is a star basketball player. Each child deals with their dysfunctional family, including gambling, alcoholism, and poverty.