In this sequel to Tales of the City, Michael Tolliver is still living in San Francisco. Now 40-years-old, he has been living with HIV for more than 20 years already. Many of his friends have died during the 1980s. While the city used to be a haven for sexual openness and creativity, it is now largely converted by the tech industry. When Michael encounters an ex, he is thrown into a deep revery about the past.
Michael is attempting to reconcile with his family, some of whom have been at odds with him since he came out as gay. As his mother ages, she starts becoming more receptive to him and eager to wrap up loose ends. She lives in Florida, however, so communication with the whole family is complicated. Meanwhile Michael and his brother, Irwin, are fighting. The family disapproves of both Michael's decisions and his lifestyle.
Between fights, Michael takes solace with old acquaintances. Brian Hawkins is still around, often attended by his daughter, Shawna, who's a pansexual author now. Michael works with Ben in the business, but they have their own disagreements, all of which remind Michael of his age. In the end he is forced to choose how best to care for his family and for Anna Madrigal, his former landlady. Michael views her as his true family, the one who stood beside him even when his biological family rejected him.
