University of MD groundskeeper and ex union activist Marlie Mendíval faces mounting bills, a lecherous boss, and boatloads of self-doubt. Keeping her going are her quirky nine-year-old granddaughter, Samantha, and ramshackle Rainwood House, full of musical plumbing, burgeoning houseplants, and whispers of bygone racial justice struggles.
Good-natured radical horticulturist Demetrius moves in, offering Marlie conversation and comfort cooking. She feels almost able to face her ex’s eviction threats, her sudden notoriety as a campus movement leader, and Samantha’s wrangles with a fundamentalist classmate.
Until she discovers Demetrius is in hiding — accused of shooting a white policeman. A fugitive in her house! Of course she must turn him in!
But will that bring justice?
Should she instead risk hiding him and helping him find the truth?