Judith was on her way to her birthday dinner with her latest beau when she receives a call. On the other end of the line is her long lost childhood friend Jennifer, who is calling her in a state of inebriation. The two of them catch up and Judith is left reminiscing about her childhood, particularly the relationship between her parents.

Judith's parents don't get along but they both agree that they do not like Jennifer's parents, Nickie and Scott, who seem to be well tanned and wealthy. Judith, is immediately enamored by them and is pleased when Jennifer moves in. Judith, being from Santa Barbara, takes Jennifer under her wing and they set off to go explore tide pools. The two become extremely close and Judith ends up going over to Jennifer's house quite a bit, so much to the point where she wishes she Judith's parents were her own.

In between reminiscing about the past, Judith faces reality. She has lost her parents to alcoholism and is concerned that every time she talks to Jennifer; it seems that Jennifer is drunk. This prompts Judith to be extremely concerned and she takes her sabbatical early to move back to Santa Barbara and care for Jennifer.

The two of them spend time getting Jennifer "sober enough" to only switch to wine (which Judith manages) and recounting Jennifer's three previous marriages to Tom, Dick, and Harry (whose real name is Jack) and for them to reveal that Nickie and Scott didn't have the most glamorous marriage.

The two women eventually make a breakthrough and are able to talk about the unfortunate things in their lives. The fact that Judith had an affair or the fact that Jennifer doesn't speak much to her children. Jennifer unlocks the door for Judith to go back home. They say goodnight, kiss, and part ways for the night