There is a toxic landfill in every person's mind where the unpleasant seeds of life are dumped...relentless weeds that mix with the flowers. Caddy McCoy's garden of life has become quite overgrown. Terrified of facing her demons, she finds herself awakening to the sound of Bay water lapping up against the pier outside her cottage, hung over and once again confronted with poignant memories. With her life-long companion at her side she rehashes the story of her life, blazing a path as jubilant as it is devastating: from a vivacious girl of five, trying to make sense of her father and brother's sudden disappearance; to growing up in an adoptive family alongside a mother who seems to have permanently checked out; through college life, racial integration, loves lost, accidents and deaths, charming husbands of shadowy backgrounds, but also children who still give her reason to hope. Finally back at her Bay home, the question remains: who exactly is Caddy's bedroom companion?