It is July 1, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. A foster child, Aisling O'Quinn, escapes the farm where she has lived nearly four years. The Irish lass is determined to return to Five Points Manhattan and find her beloved máthair.
Aisling was born on the high seas en route to the New World, April 2, 1848. She lived with her parents in the notorious slum, up four flights, at the bend on Mulberry Street, with its rag-picker alleys and bandit's haunts.
Their situation became increasingly dire when her athair died in a bloody battle, and her máthair took ill. As the caregiver, twelve-year-old Aisling was caught pilfering food. Vigorously resistant to leaving her parent, a matron from the Children's aid Society physically forced her on an orphan train, sending her to a better life.
Now, fifteen, Aisling attempts to overcome the crippling fear of her childhood and return to her parent. However, she is overwhelmed by unforeseen circumstances. As revelations from her dysfunctional past intrude on the present, Aisling tries not to crumble beneath the weight.
