Abby Abernathy (Virginia Gardner) knows that in order to get out of the vicious circle - an alcoholic mother and a compulsive gambler father - she must get an education. He leaves for college and starts a new life away from his family home. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, he doesn't party. It only focuses on science. He does not reveal his secret to anyone. Is the college "bad boy" who Abby dreams of at this point in her life?