Summary

August, 1963. 14-year-old Alice bird watches and reads a book of poetry in the forest near her family's summer cabin. She spies on her neighbor, Thomas Bayber, a handsome painter. Alice has spent a lot of time over at Thomas's place, discussing poetry and art. The family has heard rumors about him--namely, that he is a wastrel living off his parents' money. Alice overhears her parents whispering about her sister, Natalie. Natalie refuses to join in the family fun and seems angry and distant. Alice likes Thomas for his frankness and notes that he is an observer of people, like she is. Thomas offers to sketch the family. He seems unaware of Natalie, who is beautiful and impulsive and usually draws strangers' eyes. Natalie also ignores him, which Alice finds strange.

Alice visits Thomas at his house and thinks she's interrupted him from a...