Leo Plumb attends his cousin’s wedding reception in Long Island. In an effort to get back at his angry wife, he propositions a server—Matilda Rodriquez—and the two leave in Leo’s car. Matilda, an aspiring singer, is encouraged by Leo’s feigned interest in her musical talent. Before long, they are driving toward the ocean—Leo behind the wheel and under the influence of both narcotics and alcohol while Matilda fondles him—when the car is struck by an SUV.

The Plumb siblings plan to meet Leo upon his recent release from a rehabilitation facility. It is snowing, which is unusual for October. Melody, the youngest, has a drink at the Hyatt bar attached to Grand Central Station. She checks a tracking app on her phone to ensure her twin teenage daughters have arrived at their SAT tutoring session. She thinks of money she needs Leo to repay her: money she has counted on for her daughters’ college expenses. Her husband argues that Leo will never repay the debt.

At a cocktail bar on the other side of Grand Central Station, Jack Plumb is also having a drink with his new husband and longtime partner, Walker. He is nervous about meeting with Leo, but Walker assures him things will be fine, offering to accompany Jack.