Chapter 1 Summary

Jacob Jankowski cannot remember his age but thinks he is somewhere between ninety and ninety-three. Jacob lives in an assisted-living center because he broke his hip, and his family felt he needed help with his day-to-day living. Jacob is sitting in the hallway and sees a group of residents gathering at a window. Curious as to what they are looking at, Jacob climbs out of his wheelchair and uses his walker to join the residents at the window. Down a block from the center, a circus is setting up. Jacob is so overwhelmed by the sight that he has momentary chest pains that cause other residents to call for a nurse.

At dinner that night, Jacob is in a bad mood because he is unhappy with the mushy food the center often feeds the residents. Jacob is taken to his regular table where...