It's the 1970's and Charlotte Harding of Chapel Hill, NC is dealing with the thought of her and her loving husband Beau becoming empty-nesters. The youngest of their three sons is off to college and Charlotte is wondering about the path her life will take. Tragedy strikes when her childhood friend Carol Ann Stone is killed in an automobile accident. While coming to grips with this devastating loss, Charlotte discovers evidence that her friend's death was no accident. Carol Ann was killed by her abusive husband, Gar Stone.