Fletcher Lowein at the age of twelve is witness to the murder of his father. In his pocket he carries a piece of paper that could destroy his mother when she pleads Not Guilty to a murder Fletcher knows she committed.

A tall, lean man Fletcher never met walks into the police station and saves Fletcher from his nightmare. Carl takes Fletcher to his farm in South Dakota and introduces him to a family he didn't know existed.

His wealthy grandfather from Washington DC comes to South Dakota to take Fletcher home with him. The father of the victim and the father of the perpetrator want Fletcher and will fight for custody.

For a year, through the trial and the months following Fletcher comes to terms with what happened. And who committed the crime. Where he wants to live and with whom.