Henry lives in a small town in New Hampshire. In 1987 he is 13 but is carrying some rather large burdens. He lives with his mother, Adele, who has always loved to dance. Except now she only does it at home because she has become very reclusive. The two of the them basically eat frozen dinners - rarely anything fresh (including milk) because she doesn't want to go out. When necessary she will drive Henry to the bank so that she can get some cash. He would do anything to make his mom happy. On Saturday nights he goes out to eat with his dad (and his new family). Life is predictable, rather dull and lonely. School will be starting after Labor Day so he convinces his mom that she has to take him shopping for pants. In the store a man (Frank) approaches Henry asking if he thought his mother would give him a ride. So what if the guy has a little blood on him! Amazingly Adele agrees to help out. I think that might have been hard to believe - but when you hear that seductive voice on the audio you will know why she said okay!
Over the next several days Frank takes care of things around the house (careful to stay hidden from the outside world), teaches Henry about playing baseball and fixes more home-made food than Henry has eaten in many, many years. Henry has to wrestle with a lot of things that weekend.
The last chapter fast-forwards 20 years. I loved that Ms. Maynard did that because I always want to know what happens after the main story ends! I really enjoyed the book and will check out the movie on video some day. I have a feeling that the movie will remind me a bit of "The Bridges of Madison County".
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