As the golden rays of summer illuminate Nantucket Island in 1942, Hermie (15), along with his friends Oscy the jock and Benjie the introverted prodigy, relish their carefree days spent by the sun-kissed beach. Their youthful gaze is drawn to a newlywed couple, particularly captivated by the bride's breathtaking beauty as she is escorted by her soldier husband into their new home.
As their blissful, sun-drenched days slip into the realm of more complex emotions, the topic of sex enters their innocent minds. Unbeknownst to them, all three are still naive when it comes to romance and intimacy—Oscy fixates on the physical act while Hermie finds himself infatuated with the lovely bride, who he sees departing the island one morning on a water taxi. Later that day, while wandering through town, he encounters her outside the market, struggling with her groceries. Seizing the opportunity, he offers to help, sparking a delightful conversation that leaves a memorable impression.
Convinced they are ready to lose their virginity, Oscy and Hermie devise a plan. Armed with bravado, they venture to the cinema, where they befriend three high school girls. Oscy is drawn to Miriam, assigning Hermie to Aggie, while Benjie finds himself paired with Gloria, a girl sporting dental braces. The prospect of intimacy scares Benjie, leading him to flee, forcing Oscy and Hermie to navigate the situation without him. Despite their hesitations, Miriam opens up to Oscy, while Hermie finds his connection with Aggie muddied when Oscy jokingly reveals that what Hermie believed was her breast was merely her arm.
On Thursday, the bride enlists Hermie's help to move boxes into her attic. He is overjoyed when she expresses her gratitude with a sweet kiss on his forehead. Later that night, as he prepares for a marshmallow roast with Aggie and Miriam, he dares to purchase condoms, or "rubbers," as they were colloquially known at the time. However, while Oscy is caught up with Miriam behind the dunes, Hermie's tranquil evening with Aggie unravels when Aggie discovers the clandestine couple, leaving her disappointed and rushing home.
The following day, Hermie stumbles upon Dorothy sitting alone, mourning her absent husband. Seeking companionship in her sorrow, he offers to keep her company. They share intimate thoughts, and she finally reveals her identity. The atmosphere shifts when Oscy delivers the grim news that Miriam has been hospitalised due to a burst appendix. This leads Hermie to confront Oscy for making a crude remark about Dorothy.
As Hermie arrives at Dorothy's home, he finds a somber silence, interrupted only by the soft notes of a record player winding down. A whiskey bottle and remnants of a cigarette hint at her grief; Dorothy's husband had tragically died in a plane crash in France, leaving her in despair. When Dorothy appears, tearful yet still graceful, she questions her looks. Hermie comforts her with genuine kindness, saying, "I think you do."
As they begin to share a simple moment, she invites him to dance, and together they sway gently to the music, tears mingling with the nostalgia of their shared grief. Their emotional connection deepens, culminating in a tender moment of intimacy. After their time together, Dorothy watches Hermie leave, her figure silhouetted against the night, cigarette in hand, lost in thoughts of what once was.
The next day, a reconciled relationship blooms between Hermie and Oscy, who learns that Miriam is on the mend. Eager to see Dorothy again, Hermie finds that she has vanished, leaving behind a heartfelt letter. In it, she expresses her profound need to return home, assuring him that he will forever hold a cherished place in her heart and offering a prayer for his well-being.
Amidst a wave of nostalgia, Hermie's adult voiceover fills the air, guiding us through his cherished memories, tinged with a bittersweet realization that Dorothy is now merely a fleeting shadow of his past—a fleeting ghost woven into the fabric of his childhood. He reflects with tenderness on the naïveté of youth, highlighting how they were like raw gems awaiting refinement. He recalls their audacious attempts at mischief, including raids on the Coast Guard station, cinematic escapades to other worlds, and the rain-soaked days that bound them closer together.
As time softens the edges of these memories, Hermie's tone grows more wistful. He recounts the loss of Benjie's treasured watch, Oscy's harmonica swallowed by fate, and ultimately, the carefree spirit of Hermie himself—the essence of the summer spontaneity—in a heartfelt farewell to a season that shaped their lives. In this poignant conclusion, the echoes of their youthful laughter linger in the air, haunting yet exhilarating, as they await the next chapter yet to unfold.
