It is 1968. Lynnie, a young white woman with a development disability, and Homan, an African American deaf man, are locked away • in the School for the Incurable and feeble minded , and have been left to languish in the institution, forgotten. Deeply in love, they escape and find refuge in the farmhouse of Martha, a retired schoolcacher and widow. But the couple are not alone-Lynnie has just given birth to a baby girl. When the authorities cätch up to them that same night. Homan escapes into the darkness, and Lynnie is caught. Before she is forced back into the institution, she whispers words to Martha: "Hide her." And so begins the forty year epic joumey of Lennis, Homan, Martha, and baby Julia livés divided by seemingly insurmountable obstacles, yet drawn together by a secret pact and extraordinary love.