On their son Odell's 13th birthday, graphic artist Tom Warszaw finally confesses to his wife why he fled Greenwich Village, NYC for Paris when he was that age. As a schoolboy, naturally sensitive, considerate Tommy's best buddy was 'adult' half-wit Pappass, Father Duncan's Catholic School's assistant janitor. Smothered by his dependent mother, a mute orderly, Tommy got 'parental advice' from a women's-prison inmate. Together with Pappas, he saves up tips from their butchery delivery rounds. One night, Pappas steals the bike they were saving for. Tommy tries to take the blame, but ends up expelled as if he had been the instigator. Even more tragic consequences follow.