Raised in a culture in which machismo is the most prized possession a man can lay claim to, young Angel Romero finds he can no more accept his lot in life any more than he can the oppressive Communist regime that governs his native Cuba. To escape a life that prmises only scorn and persecution, in 1980 Luis flees home and joins the mass emigration of fellow Cubans that came to be known as the Mariel Boatlift. In doing so, Luis resolves to put his past behind him and create for himself a new life, one more suited to him. To this end, he assumes the guise of a female, taking the name Alicia, the Spanish form of Alice which means ‘Honest.’

Escape is but the first step, one that is the easiest. Establishing herself in a new country among strangers is far more daunting. With no relatives and nothing but the clothing she had taken from her older sister, Alicia is swept along with the other refugees from their port of debarkation in Miami to a refugee camp at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. When she expressed her fears of being sent back to Cuba as a result of the deportation hearings all refugees were required to appear before, Alicia is offered the opportunity to escape the camp and provided with flawless documents if she agrees to become a drug mule. Knowing full well what would become of her if she returns to Cuba, Alicia finds she has little choice but agree.

Though her career as a drug mule is short lived, it is profitable enough to allow her to strike out on her own and begin a new life free of her past. To this end she works to secure both an education and the medical attention she needs to become the woman she always aspired to become. In time, she manages to open her own business and establishes herself as a leader within the Latino community of Fort Smith, Arkansas. It is in this role that she comes to meet Daniel King, known as DK by his friends and associates. A stanch Republican and a true believer in his Christian faith and family values, King launches a political career by running for Congress, though real ambition in life is to become governor. In his pursuit of this goal he seeks support from Fort Smith’s Latino community. Alicia, who has experienced communism first hand and is an unabashed supporter of the free enterprise system not only supports King’s run for Congress, she becomes a key member of his staff, a position which puts her in close proximity to King during the campaign.

Ever so slowly the relationship between Alicia and King changes, leading eventually to romance. At first reluctant to become involved least her past have adverse consequences on King’s political ambitions, Alicia eventually allows herself to follow her heart, marrying him after his election to Congress. Both the artful explanations she crafts to explain away her past and his love for her allow the couple to enjoy several years of martial bliss, enhanced by the adoption of several children.

This changes when King decides the time has come for him to run for governor. It is during the height of his campaign that Alicia finds her past has finally caught up with her, causing her to once more make hard choices, all of which she believes will result in ruin and disgrace for her a family and a husband she loves dearer than life itself.