Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary

1945. Rudolph goes home early from track practice because one of his teammates has just learned that his brother has died in the war. Rudolph relieves his mother in the family bakery. Later, the family has dinner together before Gretchen, Rudolph's older sister, runs off to the VA hospital where she volunteers, and Thomas, his younger brother, just runs off. Rudolph goes to his room and writes a letter to his French teacher in her native language. Rudolph is in love with the teacher and would love to tell her all he says in his letters. However, Rudolph always tears them up as well as the drawings he often makes of his beloved. Rudolph quietly goes to bed when he is finished because he has to get up early to deliver his father's rolls.

Thomas has gone to the movie house and...