The story of a Texas woman trying to raise her three teenage children during hard times in World War II. After Nettie's husband leaves her, she is forced to take in female boarders to make ends meet. The house is crowded and the eccentric women who stay there are entertaining, lost souls looking for husbands and careers in a world without men. The play examines family, home, honor and dreams during a time when everyone had to "make do or do without." Sonny, the teenage son, is afraid to go off to war. When Maggie, a sexy new boarder, opens his eyes to his musical talents and his sexuality, Sonny fights with his mother and runs away, thus evading his draft notice. As the play moves through five years, all the characters face many obstacles, not the least of which is keeping their faith in spite of severe disappointments. Eventually, Sonny returns home to see his mother for one last time and to give her a lasting gift to remember him by.