Summary

On the final day of the county fair, Dolores decides to make her first social appearance since the kids’ funerals in February. She says every year since she and Abbott got married, they always go to the county fair. Abbott especially likes the demolition derby, even more so since suffering his stroke. Dolores likes to walk the livestock barns because the smells, warmth and animals remind her of her childhood. On this day, Dolores and Abbott wait out an afternoon storm and arrive at the fair just minutes before the demolition derby is about to begin. They rush to the grandstand and Dolores is surprised at the cold shoulder they appear to be receiving from everyone. She thought that by now, people would have moved on a bit as she had.

At past fairs, a few young men usually volunteer to carry Abbott...