An unnamed female teacher from Chicago watches one of her students, Bea, enter her classroom. She notices that Bea seems disheveled that day and unwilling to be present in class. The teacher goes home at the end of the day and hopes that her husband is cheating on her, but also is relieved that he isn't. She is disgusted by her husband's cat, who is very old. The teacher then goes to a fancy dinner to celebrate the promotion of her friend (The Engineer).

The next day at school, Bea corrects a drawing of a cell on the board and the teacher finds pride that her students are paying attention. She thinks about Bea's family— her brother Aldous and her chaotic, somewhat neglectful mother, Flora. The teacher wonders if she should comb Bea's hair and fantasizes that it may help Bea succeed in life but decides not to act on it.

At home, the teacher is folding laundry and can't find their cat. Her husband says the cat is in the closet and she pets the cat, knowing it is probably dying. In school, people consider her a great teacher, and she believes this to be a good compliment, but also compares herself to others. She criticizes her husband at dinner acknowledging that her job isn't as eventful as people make it to be.

The next day, Bea doesn't come to class, and this concerns the teacher. Bea often brings her to tears. However, Bea does come the day after and is wearing clothes that don't fit her. After school, the teacher goes to a store to get soda for her husband and sees Bea's brother.

The teacher and her husband go to Home Depot, even though her husband doesn't typically buy anything there. She eavesdrops on some people's conversations and then leaves.

The following day at school, Bea is sent to the principal's office for cutting up a bird with scissors. The teacher finds it hard to believe but also stands up for Bea, telling everyone to send her back to class because there is no evidence. Bea begins to annoy her teacher by blowing bubbles with gum in class. The teacher gets angry, but then fears that her outburst might prevent Bea from returning to class. Bea does return and seems more eager to learn, wearing clothing that fits and a new backpack.

The teacher returns home to see that her husband is away on a business trip and the cat has died. Aldous helps Bea with her hair and the teacher makes some sandwiches and finds a backpack for Bea to give to her for the next few days. She is very sympathetic to Bea's life and living conditions and uses this to help her.