Every summer, the 48-year-old sculptor Franziska (Iris Berben) waits impatiently for the arrival of her son Philipp (Alexander Höchst), who studies in Bonn and comes to spend the big holiday with her on the North Sea island of Rügen. Much to her surprise, he brings along a friend, Matthias (Gedeon Burkhard). Franziska is impressed by Matthias, who inspires her to complete a work of art. A love arises between him and Franziska, which leads to an amorous relationship. Franziska, who has not yet made up her mind exactly how she feels about him, asks Matthias not to tell Philipp about this. This hurts Matthias because he thinks he has become the object of a game. He leaves offended and only later does it become clear to him that Franziska does indeed feel something for him and he for her.