Part 1: Chapters 1-2 Summary

Kent Haruf is a professor at Southern Illinois University who has written several novels. One of Mr. Haruf's novels won a Whiting Foundation Award and a special citation from the PEN/Hemingway Foundation. This is Haruf's third novel.

Jack Burdette drives into downtown Holt, Colorado and parks his red Cadillac outside the tavern. Jack sits there in his car for more than an hour before Ralph Bird, owner of the Men's Store, notices him. Ralph recognizes Jack immediately and points him out to his wife. Ralph's wife urges Ralph to allow the police to handle it. Ralph, however, goes across the street and confronts Jack briefly. Ralph then goes to the police station and insists deputy Dale Willard call the sheriff. The sheriff, who is at home eating his dinner, calmly finishes it before driving into town and confronting...