Jessie and her mother moved to Adams, Colorado in 1924. Jessie was eight years old and her father had just died. Most of the inhabitants in Adams were transplants, many because they are ill or a relative of the ill and have been rejected by genteel society. Jessie's mother's services were in high demand. Jessie's mother is employed as a nurse and companion to these people who are alone and lonely for their old way of life. Jessie is finding it difficult to fit in. Though exposed to all of the ill and illness through her mother's work, Jessie is never ill. This is a young lady who is at the age where being different is difficult. Jessie wonders why she can't be ill too.
Mrs. Butler, Grandmother Butler, suffers from senility.....
