Three main periods loosely interwoven. Gusatav's early childhood with his mother, and then befriending Anton at kindergarten and growing through school. The events before Guistav's birth from 1938 when Emile meets Erich (deputy police chief) and marries him and their early life together and separated as the clouds of war descend. And then Gustav's adult years from late 40s to 60s where he and Anton finally achieve their destiny.