Daisy and her sister are sitting in the city zoo in Denver, Colorado. Their ritual that concludes the end of Daisy’s sister’s annual visit before Daisy brings her to the train. They are sitting outside of the bear exhibit. The contrast between the bears, the blind polar bear, the active grizzly bears, and chattering monkeys reminded them of the people and environment they grew up in.

Both women are transported back to Adams, Colorado during the great depression. Both of their parents have died in quick succession and they are left in the care of their grandmother’s friend Mrs. Placer, who insists they call her Gran. Despite receiving high praises from a priest in their birth town, Mrs. Placer is the opposite of the child-loving, kind-hearted and generous person she is described to be. 

While living with Gran and the various borders in the house the women begin to adopt their traits. They find themselves being overly suspicious, self-critical, lacking in trust for their peers and teachers. Their only friend during their childhood was the town drunk, Mr. Murphy. He lived with his animals, in a house near the railroad tracks where the women would often sit and watch him play cards. Although he did not talk much the trio became very fond and protective of each other. 

One day, Mr. Murphy gave the girls their first pet, a dog named Cesar. At first, Gran merely tolerated Cesar, until he got injured. From that moment on Cesar and Gran became inseparable. She transformed him into a vicious attack dog who killed Mr. Murphy’s Capuchin monkey and then paid the price when Mr. Murphy poisoned him. 

The sisters feel sick from the memories and spend the remainder of their time together chastising themselves for not running away at an early age.