At38,Thomasisatacrossroadsinhislife.Hisparentsarenonstopguilt-inducers,hisex-wifeisalwaysonhisback,andhissonisfarfrominspirational.Thomashimselfisalmosttoointellectualtosurvivedailylife.TheattentionsofastraightforwardEnglishteacherseemtobeawayout.