In 1983, Oliver Nicholas, at thirteen, is well-poised to enter the precocious teenage world of first-sex, vodka and possible-love in New York City when he is traumatized by the stroke of his housekeeper. Oliver struggles through attacks of mania, drunkenness, first love, betrayal, migraine-inducing masturbation, virginity, and the loss of an imaginary friend . . . hoping to survive this uniquely-New-York baptism by fire.