It is 1944 in Ontario, Canada, and Scotty is fifteen. World War II is coming to an end, although the war has left countless scars on Canadian families and the world at large. Scotty has his own problems at home, including an alcoholic father and the fear of being stuck as a small-town nobody his whole life. He can't wait to turn sixteen.
Once he's sixteen, he'll be able to go his own way. Maybe he'll drop out of high school. Maybe he'll get a job at General Motors, since the Canadian headquarters are located in his hometown. He has friends to back him up-guys like Neil-the-Wheel, Georgie-boy, Joey, and Rick-the-dick. Together, these guys find their ways into adulthood.
Scotty grows up. He soon finds himself involved with the local United Auto Workers union. He still looks over his shoulder in remembrance of the past, but as a young man, his life is open before him. Will he grow up to be better than his Old Man? Will he find success in his job and his relationships? It's a long road to adulthood, and Scotty will soon find that the road is his making.