Summary

In "Debra Ann," 10-year-old Debra Ann, or D.A., recalls all the time she used to spend with her mother, Ginny. They would drive just to kill time. Now Ginny has disappeared; D. A. cannot understand why. While wandering outside alone, she spots a man hiding in a large pipe not far from Corrine's house. Because it is summer and her mother is gone, D. A. decides to make befriending the man her new project. She does not believe he is dangerous. D. A. observes his makeshift space, noticing discharge paperwork among his things; she guesses he is a war hero. She leaves him a note asking what he needs. He writes her back with a list. His name is Jesse Belden.

Gradually the two become friends. Jesse tells her his cousin promised him work in Odessa after he returned from the war...