Summary

The story opens with Amy and Bobby Jackson living in the old office building on the sugar mill property. It is the middle of the recession, and they are struggling to get by. Though Bobby’s parents, Elmer and Marcia, offered for them to live at their home, Bobby felt that it was “somehow more dignified to live alone, let them pretend that they were still independent thirty-somethings” (63). Bobby, while very in love with Amy, is clearly paranoid that she will leave him, finally finished with life after the foreclosure. Amy is still working as a home health aide, and Bobby tries to start his own garage. He has little success, and Amy’s luck erodes his self confidence, as he laments, “You are in bed while your wife is at work” (65). Although Amy is very encouraging and optimistic, Bobby...