On the surface, Robert Houserman's family seems like many others in Cold War America: the perfect married couple with two kids, living in a nice house and owning a thriving business. Beneath the surface, Robert's father, Michael, is gay in an era when admitting one's homosexuality is a dangerous choice. Torn between his secret lifestyle and the person he wants the world to see, Michael inflicts a devastating toll on his wife and children. Years later, Robert's own marriage is threatened when his personal demons drive him to contemplate suicide.