Martin Gaines walks home from his office one afternoon and sees policemen crowded around a man who lies unconscious in the street. Martin continues home, but the image of the man stays with him. At home, Martin scold his teenage son for sneaking out with the car at night. Meanwhile, Martin's wife, Ellen, begins to feel ill after reading about anemia in a magazine but avoids telling her husband in fear that he will dismiss her. As she suspects, Martin later tells her she is being paranoid and that her health is fine. At dinner, Martin's pregnant daughter worries whether or not she will inherit her grandmother's candlesticks. Martin then discusses with his aging father whether or not he should remain in the house. The conversation ends and the men go to bed, deciding that Martin's father will stay. As Martin navigates these situations with his family, he wonders if he has failed them.