Frank was barely 24 when his younger sister committed suicide in his bathroom while he was gone, leaving Frank to become guardian to his sister's six month old daughter, Mary. Frank had left his job as a professor of philosophy at Boston University to live in a small town in Florida where he could better care for and raise Mary. He home schooled her until she reached second grade when he decided to put her in the local public school despite her incredible affinity for mathematics - just like her mother.
Frank works as a boat mechanic at the local marina where to the unlikeliest of Fred their one eyed cat, he happens to meet Grace Foster, a quick witted and gorgeous woman who changes his and Mary's life, but he isn't aware in the beginning. The two are tooth and nail at each other first, having an impalpable bond but soon become quickly accustomed despite their stubborn personalities. All thanks to Mary, in the least.
After an incident at the school when Frank turned down a full scholarship to a prestigious school for gifted children, Frank's mother, Evelyn, attempted to take custody of Mary - claiming that Frank was hindering Mary's potential to be a great mathematician just like her mother, Diane. After a custody battle, failed attempt to compromise with foster care, Frank struck a deal with Evelyn and regained guardianship of Mary.
