With their children Debbie and Tim, their commuting-distance house, and their friends, Rose and Mark have found contentment, have been part of others' lives and maintained their own loving association.

When Mark dies after an automobile accident Rose retreats, refuses everyone's attention and wants no part of life. It takes her children's upsets, work at the hospital and some bad moments that she is part of when other things happen to friends to pull her up — and out of the dark tunnel she has entered.