In Chicago, a father describes life with his 8-year-old daughter, wife and infant son. His son cries rarely, but when he does, it is a loud bellow that demands attention. His daughter is reaching the age where she has realized jealousy and expresses that she wants to be her younger brother’s age. The father also talks about his wife who he appreciates immensely for her responsible nature.  The father writes a proof about their troublesome neighbors, three boys who throw eggs and tomatoes at their house and at the neighborhood kids. These boys have grown more violent and broken windows in his family’s basement and even set their garage on fire. The boys' father is a large, war veteran with a gruff intimidating presence. Every time someone brings up a report about his kids’ bad behavior, he beats them.  As Christians, the father and his family pray for their neighbors and try to ignore their violence while remaining friendly. One night at 1 am, the man receives a prank call from a feminine voice. The voice tells him that they are his neighbors and to check his basement because a loud sound has been coming from his family’s house. The voice the hangs up and the man takes a flashlight outside. He does not find anything of note but goes to bed exhausted. A couple of weeks later, the man opens his front door to see the neighbors’ boys on his step. The middle son asks the man to help his mother bring their refrigerator from their basement because this parents are getting a divorce. The man goes to help the wife unpack the house along with another man who is acquainted with the neighbor’s family. The neighbor’s wife turns hysterical and tries to injure herself and is taken to the hospital. Her husband comes back to live with his sons instead. The village decides to demolish their neighbors house to make space for a new parking lot. The bulldozer finally arrives while the father feels the vibrations and stares at the doorknob he once polished.