What is the main conflict in Close Range: Wyoming Stories by Annie Proulx?

After the death of Mero's brother, he jumps in his car to make the trip back to Wyoming, determined to make it in time for his brother's funeral, four days away. Mero has multiple problems on the trip, suggesting to the reader that there is a curse on him that is suggested by a story one of his father's girlfriends told him years ago. It also suggests that perhaps one cannot go back home again.