Delia Grinstead, a wife and mother of three, unexpectedly walks away from her family during a beach vacation without telling anyone. She starts a new life alone in a small town, free from her old responsibilities. At first, she enjoys her independence and sense of freedom, but she soon faces loneliness and the practical challenges of living by herself. Meanwhile, her former life continues without her, and her ties to her family remain. The novel focuses on her inner conflict between personal freedom and family duty, and on whether it is truly possible to start life over completely.