National Black America's African American Community

We meet Ocean, a single mom of two, as
she moves into the three flat apartment
building. Despite its dilapidated state, the
apartment, and the independence that it
represents, delights her. Touring her new
building, Ocean meets Lupe, her boisterous
Latina neighbor, and Peggy, crudely tagged
the 'Avon Lady'. Through their quick and witty
banter, we see right away that Ocean and
Lupe will become fast friends. Ocean's
feelings of tranquility are dashed when she
becomes the surprise guardian of her
troubled niece, Trina.

Ocean prepares her kids for school
while she battles to maintain authority
over her troublesome niece. Peggy's
struggle to raise her grandson Ian is
highlighted when Lupe discovers Ian is
not at school with the rest of the
children. Ocean is disappointed when
she fails her GED test, but is given a
laptop to study with, offering her hope as
she applies herself to rigorous study.

Slowly, the three flat apartment building
that Ocean lives in starts to seem a little
brighter and little more like home. As
Ocean continues her quest for
happiness and peace, she encounters
Mike, Sophie’s father. Mike arouses an
emotion within her she had buried deep
inside and almost forgot existed. Ocean
reaches out to Peggy and builds a bond
with her grandson Ian, who is coping
with the loss of his mother, who left him
years before she died.