The story opens with a young boy playing checkers with his grandfather in the farmhouse kitchen while his mother peels potatoes, prepping for dinner. At his mother's request, he explains why he wears his father's flannel shirt, giving readers an insight into his adoration for his dad. All of a sudden, loud noises ring through the kitchen and a startled farmhand, Isaac, bursts in the door calling for help. As they all race to the scene, it appears the father, Jack, is trapped under one of his own machines as family and farmhands scramble to save him. The opening chapter closes with the tragic death of a man that readers can sense, even after just reading one chapter, was well-loved by all.