Summary

In the first section, The Night Driver, 2008, in the chapter “Crystal,” Crystal starts her shift. She hauls beets from the sugar processing plant to “the company piling ground” every day from six p.m. to six a.m (3). She listens to a radio program on angels while driving. Crystal recognizes one caller as Winnie. Winnie is in Crystal’s book club. Her son Gary has been dating Crystal’s daughter Kismet. Because of Gary’s reputation, Crystal worries about Kismet.

In the second section titled The Proposal, in the chapter titled "The Diamond,” Gary picks up Kismet, planning to propose. While waiting for her, he examines the ring he bought with the money he earned framing with his dad.

While driving, Kismet notices the ring and insists Gary turn around. Gary lunges at her, proposes, and mistakes her cries...