Timeline & Summary

Therese works at a soul-sucking department store job.
She meets Carol while working and sends her a Christmas card.
The two go out for coffee, and their friendship accelerates from there.
Therese gets a new job doing set design.
She breaks up with her boyfriend and decides to travel across the country with Carol.
The two sleep in the same bed in Waterloo.
When Carol learns a detective is following them, Therese spots the man, whom she's seen a few times before.
After confronting the detective, Carol returns to New York, while Therese stays out West.
Therese learns that Carol is staying in New York because she's fighting for custody of her daughter. She can't see Therese again.
Therese returns to New York and learns that Carol lost everything in the divorce.
Carol is moving out and wants Therese to move in with her.
Therese initially declines, but she reconsiders and goes to join Carol.