"A Very Private Affair" is a love story involving four people: Joan Mitchell Ross (White), Benjamin Davis (Black), Lee Davis (Black) and Sage Ross (White).
In August, 1963, Joan Mitchell and Benjamin Davis met at college in Michigan and fell in love. Their affair was kept quiet and very private from all friends and family.

Joan became pregnant and gave birth to their son in Denmark on December 8, 1964. Lee was born in the home of Joan's uncle, Morgan Mitchel.

At the time of Lee's birth, Benjamin made a promise to Joan that his family would raise the child and the relationship between him and her would never again be discussed. Throughout all the years, Benjamin and Joan never stopped thinking of each other. However, both married and went separate ways.

Life was going well for everyone -- until Lee met Sage at a concert that past summer. Lee is in love with the twenty year old daughter of Joan and Howard Ross, not knowing that he and Sage are half-brother and sister! Not knowing that his mother is even alive or that she is a white woman!