Before she can graduate from college, Loretta becomes pregnant and marries Blue Simpson. Her life as a mother and housewife in 1950s Texas does not suit her, but the pair is in love. Then, Blue has an accident that leaves a filament of hot steel in his left eye. He is demoted at work, and his disposition, aided by alcohol, turns sour.
He begins to beat Loretta, then gently attempts to pry forgiveness from her in the bedroom. After one particularly horrible beating, Loretta refuses sex and Blue forces himself on her. After he goes to sleep, Loretta takes a cast iron skillet and hits him multiple times. He wakes up the next morning confused and suspicious of Loretta's actions, but he does not confront her. Loretta hires a lawyer for her divorce and requests an officer to escort Blue away when he gets home. Tensions escalate when Blue refuses to leave, and the officer, who is inexperienced, lethally shoots him before he can reach Loretta.