Maggie is contrasted with her older sister, Dee, who is more outgoing and confident. Dee is also more interested in the outside world, and she dreams of going to college and becoming a writer. Maggie, on the other hand, is content to stay at home and help her mother.
The story revolves around Dee's return home from college for a visit. Dee brings her boyfriend with her, and she is eager to show off her new life to her family. However, Maggie is uncomfortable with Dee's changes, and she feels that Dee is no longer the same person she used to be.
The climax of the story occurs when Dee announces that she wants to take some of her mother's quilts with her back to college. Maggie is devastated, as the quilts have been in the family for generations and she considers them to be part of her heritage. However, Dee argues that she needs the quilts for her artistic expression, and she eventually convinces her mother to let her take them.
Maggie is left feeling heartbroken and betrayed. She feels that her sister has taken something away from her that she can never get back. The story ends with Maggie sitting alone in the house, feeling lost and uncertain about her future.