Kayes abandons his wife and son, Daphne and Curt, to live with a Black woman named Leah, who is ironically nicknamed Blackie for her light skin. Kayes has been drafted for World War II and must report to Raleigh, North Carolina. Only a health check stands between Kayes and military service on the front lines. Kayes leaves his life in shambles: Curt despises him because he left their family for a Black woman, but despises himself even more because he still wants his father in his life. Daphne still loves him and wants to rekindle their marriage, but her love for him is incomparable to that of Leah. Leah and Kayes live together in a small shack on farmland that had been given to Red, Leah's grandmother, by Kayes' grandmother. Both women are dead now, and Leah has inherited the property.

Kayes gives his farewell and some money to Leah and then departs for Raleigh with his brother Riley. He informs Riley that in the likely case that he dies, he has left a good amount of money for his wife and son, as well as several thousand dollars for him and Leah to split. He also tells Riley that if he is drafted, he would like Riley to go to the shack and offer to drive Leah anywhere should she want to leave.

Kayes passes his health inspection and will soon be sent to South Carolina for basic training. He informs his brother and wife. When Riley goes to pick up Leah, he finds her in the house. She has killed and buried Red's dog since it was old, and no one would be able to care for it. Leah asks Riley to take her to the bus station — she decides this will be her first step towards her new life.