The food writers Jane and Michael Stern have been married for thirty-three years, they love each other, but Jane is feeling insecure, depressed and with phobia, while Michael has been sober for three years. Jane decides to change her life getting her fears out of her head, and is encouraged by Michael to join the training of E.M.T. in the Grafton Volunteer Fire Department. Nobody believes in the clumsy Jane, but she concludes the training period and applies to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and gets her certificate. She begins to work to Grafton Volunteer Fire Department, affecting her personal life and the long relationship with Michael.

The lives of Dashiell Hammett and Lillian Hellman are set against the golden era of Hollywood, World War II, and the witch hunt of the 50s. This intimate look at the lives of two of this century's literary titans follows their tumultuous affair, drinking bouts, career highs and lows, and political woes.