Summary

The story begins with a phone call from Denny Whitshank to his parents, Abby and Red Whitshank. The reader learns that Denny is their only son but has been a 'black sheep' almost since day one. The reader also learns that the family took in a boy named Stem, who was more like the boy that Red had imagined he'd have as a son.

Abby is a social worker and urges Red to be more understanding when Denny tells them on the phone that he has decided that he is gay. Red blames her lack of discipline with Denny as a child for Denny's homosexuality. A fight ensues. They don't hear from Denny until the following Fall when Denny calls and asks for money for text books since he's going back to college. Red tells him that they won't cover his textbooks and Abby...