Brian and his two brothers, Jimmy and John, seem to have a normal life. But even the image of normalcy is swept away when their mother dies of cancer.

With their father in state prison for theft, the brothers are sent to live with relatives. The young Brian constantly wets his bed and suffers from a variety of other problems because he's insecure and unloved. Even worse, he's abused, and he struggles to find a path that leads to happiness.

Jimmy and John also have a difficult time finding a road that leads to a comfortable place, and they go through their own ordeals. When Brian finally finds some measure of happiness, it's ruined when he witnesses a murder.

Brian is beginning to think he's the victim of some sort of family curse. But he's about to discover that love can be a powerful force, even for someone going Downhill from the Projects.