"The Flats Road" Summary

In the first section of the book, the reader is introduced to several of the characters, places and themes that will carry through the rest of the book. The story begins with Del Jordan's discussion of her Uncle Benny who, she is quick to point out, isn't really her uncle at all. His marriage has failed, and Del tries to fit this reality into her understanding of the world, an understanding that is caught somewhere in the crack between childhood and adolescence. Del recounts how they spend their days fishing along the Wawanash River, "helping" their Uncle Benny fish. The children's job is to catch the frogs that Benny needs. After fishing, Del, her brother and Benny return to Benny's house with the fish they have caught, trailed by Del's dog, Major.

Del describes Benny's house, the...