1978. It turns out that father Kick has a secret, which makes it clear to son Max why he has such a strained relationship with his father. When Frans, the wayward younger brother, seeks refuge with Johan of all people, Max takes out his frustration on him. Carla quits her job at the law firm where she works. When father Kick wants his daughter Suus to leave the family home and finally start her own life, it becomes clear which hidden event has plunged the entire family into a pool of sorrow

2001. Max travels to Syria. Miriam tells him how Suus has been plagued her whole life by guilt over a secret she carried with her. Max is stunned. Father Kick is suffering from dementia. Frans is plagued by nightmares about the war. Charlie is a rebellious, pot-smoking teenager who is always with her best friend Hicham. After the 9/11 attacks, Charlie gets into yet another conflict with her mother.

2005. Charlie has no idea what to do with herself and her life. She also misses her grandfather. Max reconnects with Hans after years. Frans sees Charlie struggling with herself and her parents and gives her the key to his house; he's hardly ever there anyway. When Charlie seems to disappear, her mother searches everywhere and eventually ends up at Frans' house. Carla draws the wrong conclusion.