Carolyn "Peewee" Turner, a spunky red-haired tomboy, survives adolescence while growing up in a dysfunctional family consisting of her mother, Roberta, a call girl whose smashing good looks could stop traffic, Tina, her little sister who had a serious psychological problem, and Howard Turner, her absentee truck driving father who doubts that Tina is his child. Carolyn, whose low-income family lives in a mobile home, has a crush on Buddy Brandon, a very popular high-school football star and son of well-to-do parents.
Thrust into adulthood prematurely, Carolyn faces many challenges in her quest for happiness, including an unplanned pregnancy, being married to the wrong man, and being forced to raise her little sister under difficult circumstances. Her life takes several unexpected turns, through tragedy and triumph, and along the way, she learns many valuable lessons about love and forgiveness.
