In the woods, a 13-year-old boy is grabbed by an escaped convict and told to bring money later that day. The boy does as hes told, only to be attacked by the convicts partner. A murder ensues, and through happenstance, the murderer and the boys mother form an alliance. All this takes place in four days during which the boy has his first communion, his separated parents face each other amidst grandmothers hopes theyll reunite, the grandfather just wants to go fishing, the schools chaplain complains about the boys behavior, and the convicts shared girlfriend comes, gun in hand, to help them escape to Tangier. The mothers surprising decisions complete the story.