The story opens in Anchorage, Alaska. Susan and her 17-month-old daughter, Calla, are returning to Susan’s home in Toronto. Susan met Wren Fletcher four years ago and moved to Alaska to be with him. Wren works for the family business as a charter bush pilot. Though Susan loves Wren, she has grown to hate living in a remote wilderness where it’s dark for half the year. Wren’s work keeps him away for long periods. After their daughter Calla’s birth, Susan becomes depressed, and Wren’s constant absence doesn’t help. Wren begs her to reconsider her one-way ticket, and she reminds him how much she has sacrificed to try and make it work. Seeing Calla say goodbye to Wren breaks Susan’s heart, but she feels she’s out of options.

The story moves forward to July 2018 in Toronto. Twenty-six-year-old Calla has been downsized from her job as a risk analyst at a bank. Though she will miss some coworkers, she admits the job was boring. On the train ride home, a man makes small talk and tells Calla that he once lost a job, but it ended up being the best thing ever happening to him because he could pursue his dreams.