American infantryman Philip Cass met Teresa Russo when he was stationed in the Russos' hometown, war-ravaged Bologna. Italy. Philip's sensitive nature, which translated into respect for Teresa and her family, only strengthened their relationship, and her family blessed their marriage in Italy. However, that sensitive nature, the result of self-doubt, usually results in him running away from any situation not inherent to his general being, which made him less than an ideal soldier; in fact, he was a potential liability on the the battlefield. Philip and Teresa thought little about the broader aspects of their marriage beyond what was the exuberance of the then-and-there. The realities of their situation set in when Philip went home to New York City followed shortly by Teresa under the American-war-bride policy. Living with Philip's family in the Casses' already cramped inner-city apartment in 1946, Philip and Teresa will discover whether their marriage can withstand the strains of their situation, primary centered around Philip's overbearing mother, Clara Cass. Philip is destined to become a version of his henpecked father if he doesn't get out from until her control.