Frankie Carter's alcoholic mother, Doralee, left her forty-seven years ago, so when she reappears, Frankie feels she's been granted a do-over to have the relationship she's always fantasized about. Erratic and unpredictable as ever, Doralee repeatedly pushes Frankie away, breaking her heart all over again but that doesn't keep Frankie from trying to earn her mother's love.

Frankie's dear friends in the Marriage Survivors Club remind her that all mothers––herself included––are imperfect. They tell her Doralee will never be the mother of Frankie's dreams and encourage her to accept her mother's flawed love before time runs out and Frankie loses her for the very last time.