For over a year, Marcy, a fourteen-year-old girl, and Robert, a forty-year-old married man and family friend, meet at the older man's apartment and have sex. Throughout the affair, Marcy insists that she likes both the conversation with Robert and the sex. One day after school, Marcy and Robert break off their affair. When Robert realizes that Marcy has a new crush — Allen, from school — he tells her that he will set her free. Allen, only a year older, appeals to Marcy in ways Robert cannot; Allen is charming, a handsome athlete, and most of all, age appropriate. At their final farewell, Robert is devastated, but seems to recognize that cutting it off is the right thing to do. Robert and Marcy never meet in person again. Robert calls Marcy's house sporadically to say hello, which leaves Marcy feeling sad and confused at their distance and coldness. One night, while out to dinner with her parents and Allen, Marcy's mother spots Robert and his wife Suzanne at the same restaurant. Marcy is upset and angry with Robert for not saying hello, but continues to eat her dinner as if nothing were wrong.