Two women never meet, but their lives collide. Ulrike is an East German immigrant and Stasi survivor who still struggles with the effects of the totalitarian regime on her psyche. Her husband Peter is one of the people who must pay the price. Ruth is a California chemist with secrets in her family who just lost her father under mysterious circumstances and is witnessing her mother's descent into alcoholism. When Ulrike is gone, a hesitant friendship starts between Peter and Ruth. Or is it more than a friendship? Follow these strong, opinionated women on their paths before and after a pivotal moment that bonds their lives forever, even beyond death.