Clifford Groves, a successful middle-aged toy manufacturer, feels unfulfilled by his monotonous life despite having a loving wife, Marion, and children. His wife's preoccupation with their home's smooth running and social obligations leaves Clifford feeling neglected and unappreciated. This sense of dissatisfaction grows when his former flame, Norma Miller Vale, re-enters his life. She is now an accomplished fashion designer visiting town on business. The nostalgia of their past romance, compounded by his current loneliness, draws Clifford to spend more time with Norma, reigniting feelings he thought long buried.

Norma's presence sparks a longing for what might have been, giving Clifford a sense of excitement and emotional fulfillment that he has been missing. However, tensions arise as Clifford's children become suspicious of the relationship developing between him and Norma. Their unease grows into a conflict where loyalty, love, and the responsibilities of family life clash with individual desires and old passions. This confrontation forces each character to reassess their values and decide what truly matters in their lives, leading up to a resolution that underscores the sacrifices and complexities of personal dreams versus familial duties.