Determined to stop running and face up to his problems, Tom Roberts, the middle-aged protagonist, returns to Summerville, his home town, which he believes is the source of his angst. When he runs into Carol Peters, his old flame, reluctantly he joins her in reminiscing about their youth. Although doing so is painful, he undergoes a catharsis and leaves the town with an understanding and acceptance of his strengths and weaknesses as a human being.