As the final days of the communes approach, with the murder trials of Charles Manson and his followers, Matt watches as his mother slowly drifts away from that lifestyle towards an even deadlier and less predictable one. Now fourteen, he is keeping watch to make sure she does not have any more children, and if she does to remove them safely into the care of his aunt. But he doesn't only watch for that. He also watches over her. After the nightmare of dealing with Kim, Matt is acutely aware that his mother is unaware of what her men are really like. Who will she find next? Will she live through her next relationship? Will he be able to save her the next time?