After throwing her husband out of the house, a young mother must look for work to support herself and her two daughters.
Mildred begins to sell homemade pies at the diner; Wally Burgan helps Mildred find a place to launch her own restaurant; Mildred impulsively joins a customer on a holiday.
In the wake of a tragedy, Mildred moves forward with preparations for her restaurant; Mildred hires a new piano teacher for Veda; Mildred faces off with Monty on New Year's Eve.
Mildred attempts to reconcile with Veda; Veda's career as a coloratura soprano takes off; Mildred is financially strained when the Laguna restaurant slumps; Mildred returns home to a shocking revelation.