The loss of her husband, Peter, at fifty-five leaves Liz Raynor adrift in her now empty life. Inspired by an artists’ center nearby, Liz rents a studio to pursue a lifelong interest in painting. She enrolls in a life studies class and is attracted to the charismatic teacher, Jay Kadlacek. But their romance is threatened when Jay’s son gets in trouble with the law, and a strange young woman comes to Liz’s door asking for Peter — and breaks down when she learns of his death.