After throwing her husband out of the house, a young mother must look for work to support herself and her two daughters.

Mildred begins to sell homemade pies at the diner; Wally Burgan helps Mildred find a place to launch her own restaurant; Mildred impulsively joins a customer on a holiday.

In the wake of a tragedy, Mildred moves forward with preparations for her restaurant; Mildred hires a new piano teacher for Veda; Mildred faces off with Monty on New Year's Eve.

Mildred expands her Glendale eatery, Veda despairs when her piano teacher dies, a mother surprises Mildred with allegations about Veda and her son, and Mildred and Veda have an emotional argument.

Mildred attempts to reconcile with Veda; Veda's career as a coloratura soprano takes off; Mildred is financially strained when the Laguna restaurant slumps; Mildred returns home to a shocking revelation.