Moments after Lisbeth is born, she is taken from her mother and handed over to Mattie, a young slave who has been separated from her own child so that she can nurse the baby. Thus begins an intense relationship that will shape the lives of both women for decades. Although Lisbeth leads a privileged life, she finds nothing but loneliness with her overwhelmed mother and her distant father, who owns slaves. Over time, Mattie increasingly becomes her family. The girl's visits to the slave quarters and the vibrant, loving community further bond the two. But can two women forge such a close bond under such vastly different circumstances without consequences? This deeply moving story of an unusual relationship follows the very different paths of their lives.