The story takes place in Quinlan, Texas, where Ann buys a house across the street from Bubba and Mabel Smith who go to church along with other neighbors along the street. Ann is having a hard time since losing her husband and goes to bars and nightclubs. Her children, Elaine, Lori, and Charley, were not raised in the church and don't go either. Sometimes Bubba and Mabel don't like the Christians they are supposed to be.