Jack Duncan (Matt Dillon), an athletic, hardworking local boy, meets lovely, wealthy Ginny Peterson when he and a greased pig land in her lap. Despite this beginning, they start to date. Although her parents try to keep them apart, Jack and Ginny manage to see each other frequently and fall in love. Their friends help them to sneak around, but Jack knows that eventually they will be found out. He persuades Ginny to elope, promising that they can return when she comes of age in a few months. Jack and Ginny live happily for a few months, until Ginny discovers she is pregnant. When she visits a doctor, a terrible family secret is revealed and begins a series of incidents that will change their lives forever.