Seeking self-fulfillment as an artist, Lila Brandt flees her abusive husband, Aaron, and moves to Greenwich Village in the 1930's with her two young daughters. On Aaron's Sunday visits, Estelle, aged nine, guides five-year-old Floss across the no-man's-land between their warring parents. A devoted but impractical mother, Lila faces obstacles with courage, optimism, and a gift for sugar-coating reality. A job on the WPA Art Project brings her dream within reach. Alienated by Aaron's vindictive behavior, the girls make friends with Bill Dobbs. His departure for Spain with the Lincoln Brigade leaves them and Lila bereft. Julio Delgado, a constant visitor-and like Lila, a newly-unemployed mural artist-seduces her with talk of a life in art while warring with Floss and Estelle. Made desperate by many personal losses and fearful of the future, Lila makes an impulsive decision that has devastating consequences for both her and her daughters. Estelle's college sweetheart, Barry Gabriel, has gone off to war. She must be both mother and father to Floss as they struggle to survive. Years later, their story comes full circle.