The dark red house of the Fisher family is in disrepair. The lawn is disheveled, the eaves need cleaning, and the walk leading to the front door is cracked and over-run with weeds. Within, lives a grandmother and grandson. Within dwells the last of Decayne County's Fishers.
The widow of the late Reginald Fisher, Gilda does not appear to be far from the after-life herself. She's an old woman and, rumor has it, her mind is going. Not that she interacts enough with those outside her family for anyone to be sure. She does go to church every Sunday, but leaves just after service, forsaking the weekly potluck.
Herbert, age 9, is in the fourth grade where he receives poor marks in gym class. Perhaps because they don't let him, he doesn't usually play with the other children at recess. Instead, he can be seen off in a corner of the fence reading his comic books. How he can afford all those comic books is anyone's guess. His grandmother surely doesn't have much money, living off of social security as she is. Perhaps they have an inheritance saved up. They certainly aren't spending any money on the house.