Brothers Lemonte and Oscar, latchkey children since their mother became gravely ill, struggle through daily life as they deal with their loss in different ways. Oscar, the younger of the two, is noticeably concerned for his mother's well being and asks his brother when she will wake from 'hibernating'. Oscar sees his mother as a slumbering bear in her room, he is scared to approach her, but knows he must if he is to find out if she is alright. Lemonte, a realist, hides behind a wall of anger and aggression, often lashing out at Oscar. The boys' worlds eventually collide as they are both forced to come to terms with the reality of their mother's illness.
