Joe Baker

After the death of his son, DJ, and his wife's placement in assisted living, Joe began work in the man camp where he drives water trucks for the oil rigs. Here, he tries to avoid memories of his tragic loss through constant work and the company of his partner, Dustin. He clearly feels immense responsibility for the position of his wife, Mandy, as he alludes to a complicated marriage in which he was "resentful instead of compassionate" (99). Joe's childhood also had a large impact on the way he views the world, as his single mother was unable to impart important life lessons onto the growing boy. Despite this, Joe was married at a young age and even attended community college to become a land surveyor. However, his life is now defined by the depression and guilt of his family, and he works tirelessly at the man camp...