Thomas Hardy was an Optimist

Joe Market makes his living by panhandling cars while he tries to suppress trauma. On her 80th birthday, Alice awaits a visit from her daughter. Karen's mother expects her to give up her life to care for her. As a hospice patient, Jane struggles to leave a legacy, and two women struggle with hearing child abuse in a neighbour's apartment. Each character must grapple with a problem that can haunt him or her, or provide salvation.