Shy Annie, a throwaway child, grows up in various childrenas homes. Her secret treasure is her motheras photo. When Kathy, an older and bigger girl, snatches and sees this photo, she pokes fun at her mother and shouts out in front of all the children the dark truth about Annieas mother. Then the always soft and shy Annie explodes in fury and tries to kill Kathy. Annie is put in an isolation room and attempts to take her life. This causes twelve-year-old Annie to be sent to an adult mental hospital where she will have to stay until after her eighteenth birthday. When Annie is free, she goes to find her cherished mother. She finds her in palliative care. In a rare bright moment she recognizes Annie and sadly admits her failure in life.