When They Speak of Rita
by Daisy Foote

Rita Potter is trapped in a dull existence in rural New Hampshire, cleaning the houses of wealthier neighbors and cooking for an unresponsive husband.

To make up for her seeming failure, she pushes her son and his girlfriend to reach for more than she did, and attempts to start her own catering service.

When all of Rita's efforts are ignored and thwarted, she makes more drastic changes in her life -- changes that prove disastrous.