Akron

In a crowded supermarket, two families shop for groceries: Benny Cruz and his kin, and Christopher Welling with his mother Carol Welling. As they prepare to head home, tragedy strikes when Carol accidentally hits and kills Davey, Benny’s brother. The moment shatters both households, leaving everyone grappling with shock and grief.

Years later, Benny Cruz and Christopher Welling are students at the University of Akron. They meet on a campus football field during a friendly game between opposing teams, and there is an immediate attraction. They exchange numbers, go on a date, and soon become boyfriends. The pair deepen their connection, heading to a nightclub with friends where they share a night together. As spring break approaches, they decide to spend the week in Florida at Christopher’s mother’s home. The two families offer support and acceptance for the relationship, yet a buried history begins to surface.

Christopher starts to piece together a troubling truth: his mother may have been involved in Benny’s brother’s death. The realization that their families are linked by a painful past casts a shadow as they prepare for their Florida trip. The couple enjoys a brief overnight at a campground, letting their young love unfold with tenderness and curiosity. The plot thickens when Christopher’s mother, during a visit to Jacksonville, recognizes Benny and must confront the past. She makes a heartfelt confession about her involvement, leaving Benny distraught and prompting him to consider returning home to Ohio. He briefly breaks up with Christopher twice as tensions erupt with his family.

The relationship endures, and the pair attend a local stage production of Arsenic and Old Lace, where Benny’s sister Becca Cruz has a starring role. When Benny’s parents, Lenora Cruz and David Cruz see him arrive with Christopher, they feel hurt and angry, questioning what the future holds. Meanwhile, Christopher’s mother travels to Akron with a delicate threefold aim: to pay respects at Davey’s gravesite, to ask [Lenora Cruz] for forgiveness, and to seek their blessing for Benny and Christopher to continue seeing each other. The visit yields mixed results, stirring old wounds while offering a path toward reconciliation.

After a quiet, reflective talk with her husband about trying harder to process grief, Lenora Cruz invites Benny and Christopher over for dinner, signaling a tentative shift toward healing and a cautious, hopeful future for everyone involved.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:54