The free-splrlted lifestyle of divorced Norman Davis undergoes an abrupt change when his 11-year-old daughter, Maxx, arrives with a letter from Mom.
Maxx arrives at New York's Plaza Hotel for her usual birthday lunch with her mother, but Mom stands her up and it's Daddy to the rescue.
When her father absentmindly throws away a drawing she made for him, Maxx pays him back by tossing out some of the things he has given her.
Norman has to make up an excuse when the injured sparrow that Maxx had been nursing dies while in his care.
All wrapped up in his work, Norman is angry when he learns that Maxx's constant companion, Robert, is an imaginary "perfect father" and substitute for him
Maxx goes on strike for the same "necessities' that her friend has — stereo, bicycle, bigger allowance and telephone.
Norman feels pressured into making a commitment to Barbara when Maxx's faked illness puts him in a panic.
When Norman learns of the death of his father, he forgoes a baseball game to attend Dad's Day at Maxx's school.
Norman cuts a dinner date short when he has second thoughts about leaving Maxx alone with her sleep-over pal, a 12-year-old boy.