In Rio de Janeiro, the teacher Paulo Barbosa of São José High-School moves to a rented apartment in Praça Saens Peña in Tijuca when his wife Teresa is pregnant. Years later, Paulo still works in the same high-school where his daughter Bel also studies. Teresa works in a coffee shop and the low-middle class family has difficulties but affectionate life. When Paulo is invited to write a book about Tijuca in a short schedule, Teresa dreams on buying an apartment for the family and convinces Paulo to go with her to visit a flat in Usina. They are received by the owner João but the couple can not afford to buy the apartment. Paulo spends his leisure time writing the book and has no more time for his family. When João meets Teresa in the coffee shop, they have a love affair. Bel is affected by the decisions of her parents, but life goes on.
—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil