Content Warning: This section of the guide describes and analyzes the source text’s depiction of grief and trauma, controlling behavior, domestic violence that results in death, mental illness, and death by suicide. This section also briefly quotes ableist and offensive language that appears in the source text.

Eighteen-year old Maggie Carlton goes to live with her aunt Coralee, uncle Boone, and cousin Brady Higgens. She knows they want her to feel welcome, but their house in Lawton, Alabama, isn’t her home. They give her Brady’s old room, and he moves into the attic. Maggie wants to tell them she likes the new blue walls, but she hasn’t spoken in two years. Boone assures her that Brady will help her adjust at school on Monday. After her aunt and uncle leave, Maggie writes Brady a note saying he doesn’t need to help her and can have his room back if he wants. Brady dismisses her. Afterwards, Maggie overhears Coralee urging Brady to be nice.

West Ashby, Brady’s friend, attends a party in the field the night before football season starts. He decides to get drunk because his dad has cancer, and he doesn’t want to think about losing him.