Difficult tale of a poor, struggling South Carolina mother and daughter who each face painful choices with resolve and pride. Tired Anney and her daughter Bone grow both closer and farther apart as Anney sees Glen as her last chance despite his mistreatment of Bone.

艾格妮丝的丈夫死了，留下七个未成年的孩子，以及筹办葬礼所带来的大笔债务。幸亏她天性乐观坚强，再加上好友玛丽安的帮助与扶持，总算在艰困中逐渐站稳脚步。在几位热心的街坊邻居的撮合下，艾格妮丝更与面包师傅皮耶，有了进一步发展的可能性。想不到此时却传出玛丽安罹患了不治之症，只剩下半年不到的寿命……