When the coffin of Etta Rose Callahan, a charismatic dance student, is uprooted from the earth after days of rain, the small college town of Remington is haunted with questions involving the young girl's sudden suicide. Jeremiah Mouthy, a popular art professor reveals his obsession with Etta when he decides to paint a portrait of her for the town's annual art exhibit. Jeremiah's act of passion aims to make Etta his and his alone: risking his marriage, friendships, and reputation.