Harry and Amelia are a newly wed, middle-class couple who decide to take a short trip to see Harry's dying father in New Mexico. Harry has not seen his father in years, primarily because he has been running from memories of his impoverished childhood where he had to be independent and deal with serious situations from a young age. Sometimes he tells people stories of his childhood for shock value, but Amelia does not truly associate those stories with him.

After traveling through a desolate landscape in New Mexico, Harry and Amelia arrive at the home of a caring nurse named Mrs. Coyle who reached out to them about his father's condition. Mrs. Coyle takes on more than her fair share of responsibility in the community, generously hosting Ben Tilson (Harry's father), along with taking care of an orphan. Harry and Ben are civil with each other, but Amelia notices that Harry seems more distant from her during the trip. Amelia is deeply uncomfortable with the poverty she sees around her. When Harry goes to talk to the doctor, Amelia is left alone with Ben, who talks about Harry as a child and how he was always a runner.

Ben gets ready and the couple take him to visit a boarding house where some of his other elderly friends are staying and a couple named Mr. and Mrs. Sherman. It becomes clear that Ben is proud of surviving the rough conditions he and the others have been through. During their time with the Shermans, Ben appears to stop recognizing people. That occurs after the short amount of time Harry and Amelia's are visiting is mentioned. After driving Ben back to the Coyles's, Harry and Amelia leave, knowing the old man will die soon.