In San Francisco, an immigrant widow welcomes the new year with some unhappiness: shes sixty-two now, she wants to make a trip to China to pay last respects to her ancestors, a fortune teller has told her this is the year shell die, and a daughter, Geraldine, remains unmarried. Geraldine does have a boyfriend, but shes not sure shes ready for marriage, and, anyway, he lives in Los Angeles and Geraldine doesnt want to leave her mother alone in her declining years. Mrs. Tans cheerful brother-in-law tries to help out. Is there any solution that will enable Mrs. Tan to hold onto her culturally influenced and deep-seated hopes, yet keep those hopes from suffocating Geraldine?