Logline

In the states during War World II, a young woman struggles to find herself when her abusive husband is drafted, and she is forced to get a job in order to support her mom and siblings. 

During War World II, 18-year-old Brenda marries Scott, the man she thinks she loves. Things go okay at first. They move into a small house they rent. Brenda experiences intimacy for the first time and finds herself disappointed. Scott grows more demanding over time. When Brenda stands up to him, he begins physically abusing her. Brenda starts to doubt her love for him but feels trapped.

Her mom, Carol, is all about committing once someone marries, no matter what. Raising four younger kids along with her husband Harold takes all of her time and attention. Brenda needs to fight her own battles. Scott already worries about the war taking place, that he could eventually be drafted. He’s not the kind of guy who would risk his life fighting for anything. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, more men are drafted, including older men. Both Scott and Harold receive their notices. Harold takes the news like a man. Scott plots to flee the country and insists Brenda come along. When she refuses to leave her family, Scott grows agitated but surrenders.

After the men leave, Brenda and Carol struggle. Carol is even running out of food for the kids. Brenda can’t pay her rent until Scott starts sending her money home. This leads Brenda to move in with Carol so they can help each other. In desperate need of money, Brenda takes a job at an aircraft assembly plant as a riveter. She is partnered with Tim, who wanted to enlist but was refused. A spark quickly appears between them. Tim starts giving Brenda rides to and from their job. Carol doesn’t like it. It’s not proper for a married woman to be carrying on with another man. Brenda swears it’s innocent, and it’s her own business anyway.

In Italy, Scott cheats on Brenda every chance he gets. He often has to pay for the women or spend money on them so hardly any gets sent to Brenda. His serious flame, Sophia, grows jealous when Scott pushes her aside for other women and decides to write a letter to his wife. It takes a while to reach her so Brenda is in the dark.

Brenda learns her job well. When Scott calls and tells her that he can pay for an early discharge but they need a lot of money, he convinces his wife to work all the overtime she can to help pay for it while he secretly continues to spend his money on women. Brenda takes overtime shifts at the plant just for him and can barely keep going. When she receives Sophia’s letter, that becomes the last straw. No more working overtime, and she uses some of her savings to buy Christmas gifts for her siblings so they will have a good Christmas after learning their father was killed in combat.

While dancing together in a contest, Brenda and Tim are confronted by Scott on military leave. He beats up Tim and harasses Brenda. At home, Carol comes to her daughter’s rescue but is in danger from Scott herself. Brenda strikes him with the car to save her mom. Brenda and Tim go on to marry, as he has become the only man she has truly loved.