Summary

The novel opens with social worker Pete Snow being called to moderate a domestic dispute case. A neighbor called the police because fifteen-year-old Cecil has been arguing with his mother, Debbie, and is spotted with an air rifle. The police seem distrustful of Pete because he is from out of town and is much more educated than most people from the rural environment. Pete realizes that no one has seen the youngest child, Katie, and runs into the house to find her. She has been hiding from the police and clings to Pete as a father figure, even though he acknowledges to himself that he isn't a very good father. Pete convinces the officer not to take them to prison. He tries to talk to Debbie about parenting Cecil but she wants Pete to take him away. Debbie and Cecil fight. Cecil wants...