When Maris first experiences a mysterious blackout, she tries to ignore it. She hasn't had a drink in 7 months and ascribes the lost time to a migraine or the stress of seeking tenure at the university where she is a sociology professor. Tension builds as Maris, so used to keeping secrets, hides her problem from her husband and daughter. The truth is shocking, but the story stays grounded in the reality of women's lives and relationships.