Set in 1962, Pete, an 11 year old boy who adores his father, lives in a farmhouse with his family and Grandpa. It is set where Pete is playing checkers with his Grandpa, Daddy Ballard, when a truck comes roaring up the driveway. It is evident something is wrong. They all pile into the truck and are taken to a scene where a cotton picker has been turned upside down in a sinkhole and it is evidence that Pete's father is inside. In the closing words, they pull the picker out and Pete knows he has lost is father.