Summary

The first chapter supplies the reader with the setting and location of the story about to take place. It is September 2007 and four people are gathered in a car. The car is headed north. As readers, we do not yet know where the car is headed or if the undisclosed location is important. It is ten o'clock in the morning on a Sunday, and the author notes that any attempt of an early start to this journey is currently "out of the question" (1). It then becomes evident that an early start was important as the four friends in the car are surrounded by traffic.

Immediately after setting this scene, the reader is introduced to the first character, Linda. Linda appears to be unhappy with the car's destination as it is revealed the car is headed towards the beach. Linda remarks that the choice of...