Otto is an aging lawyer who has become relatively estranged from his family while living with his partner of thirty years, William. He has a tenuous relationship with his siblings, one consisting of lavish Christmas gifts sent in the mail but little further contact. However, this relationship changes when his sister, Connie, invites him to Thanksgiving dinner. The invitation comes with the stipulation that Otto must attempt to invite their younger sister Sharon, whose incredible intellect and frail health contribute to her reclusive, eccentric nature. With this task at hand, Otto reflects on his childhood. He also remembers the cool, if not hostile, reception that William received when Otto first brought him to a family gathering thirty years ago. After years of partnership, Otto is sensitive to William’s conciliatory disposition, and often snaps at him for minor grammatical errors in his speech. Their trip to Sharon’s apartment unearths painful memories of how Otto had failed to notice signs of Sharon’s failing health before she had an episode that caused her to be hospitalized. He also feels unworthy in the presence of William’s patience and social ease. Having failed to convince Sharon to attend, Otto and William experience a tumultuous Thanksgiving dinner with Otto’s family, in which Otto’s niece, Portia, exhibits behavior undeniably reminiscent of her aunt Sharon. Corinne voices concern to Otto about Portia’s health and ability to fit in. Later, Otto and William argue over the biological imperative to reproduce. Later, Otto must attend to Sharon, who has been taken to a homeless shelter after acting erratically at a public library. After this episode, Otto acts increasingly belligerent with William and begins to ponder the theoretical existence of other Ottos in parallel universes who are also burdened with his personal defects. After a visit with another gay couple in their building who have just adopted a daughter from China, Otto snaps at William once more, questioning why he has stayed with him through all of the years.