
"You take the good, you take the bad ... ." Originally set at the prestigious Eastland School for Young Women, housemother Mrs. Garrett is the caretaker and confidante of a special group of girls. Over time, this group shrinks to be centered on only four young women: wealthy and spoiled Blair, gossipy Tootie, eager-to-please Natalie and tough girl Jo. Over the years, the girls graduate from school, and the story lines evolve with them.

A former Eastland student, now a teenage wife and mother, stops by for a visit.

Blair's mother arrives on a surprise visit, and Blair is ecstatic until she inadvertently discovers her mother has a serious illness; her mother has breast cancer.

Jo's chance to write a hot news story leads her on a trail of revenge and repercussions.

Mrs. Garrett must take a second job at the Howard Johnson's when she loses her pension; this takes a toll on her mood and her Eastland work, so she must choose between the two.