Summary

The novel opens with Randall Pritchard’s death via motorcycle crash. Randall’s ex-wife, Delia Byrd, hears the news on the radio. Delia is a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for a few months, but has been trying to be sober for much longer. Delia struggles with guilt over having left her two daughters from her first marriage, Amanda and Dede. Delia tells her ten-year-old daughter Cissy, whom she had with Randall, the news about his death, which upsets Cissy greatly. Cissy still blames her mother for leaving Randall. Cissy is also resentful toward Delia because of the effect Delia’s drinking had on her childhood. Following Randall’s funeral, Delia decides to move herself and Cissy to Cayro, Georgia. Cayro is Delia’s hometown, and where her other two daughters live. Delia wants to re-connect with Amanda and Dede. Hearing about...