Summary

Beverly’s dog, Buddy, dies, and Beverly buries him on her way to Lake Clara. She sees her cousin, Joe Travis, on her way. He is nineteen years old and works as a roofer, although Beverly does not like him very much. Beverly feels intensely sad about Buddy’s death and plans to run away. Joe drives Beverly toward Tamaray Beach but she will not tell him where she is going although he asks. Joe grows angry with Beverly because he believes she thinks she is better than him. He pulls over and kicks her out of his car. Beverly gets out and begins walking.

Beverly has run away from home several times, but she thinks this time is different because she is leaving and not running away temporarily. Beverly walks along the highway and plans to get a job to support herself...