Paul is a professor at the Big Local University and teaches two writing classes a week. At thirty-three years old, he has finally settled into a life that he is proud of: married with a child, sober, and teaching. He has even begun writing a novel about his son, who he loves an almost frightening amount. His life is wonderful — his wife makes much more money than him as a lawyer, so they have a lovely large house where his sister lives with them to babysit his son.

In his second semester of teaching, Paul meets Mark Peltz, an older undergraduate student who cares deeply about the material and has intense, mature opinions. He is not afraid to push back against Paul's lectures, which unsettles Paul. Then, Peltz writes a spectacular story titled "Sandstorm" for his assignment about being in war. It unsettles Paul further — his faith in his own ability to write is shaken, and he does not know what to do with such a brilliant piece of writing. When they workshop Peltz's story in class, Paul puts it down, calling it "not a story at all." This angers Peltz, who spits on his paper and storms out.

Later, Paul goes to see Peltz at his residence, as he feels guilty for having reported the incident. Peltz tells him that he's dropped out and has decided to pursue writing on his own but asks Paul sweetly if he thinks that he has what it takes and has true talent. Paul seems unable to say yes, which angers Peltz once again, but Paul blames it on Peltz, reason being that he must not be able to take criticism.

Some time later, Peltz shows up at Paul's house, brought in by Paul's sister Beth. Again, Paul is unsettled, but does nothing until he realizes that the manuscript of his novel has been stolen, and a sheaf of papers titled "Collected Stories" left in its place. Paul gets in a fight with his wife after she tells him that Beth is going home — which his wife thinks is Paul's fault for because he has been in a foul mood and has taken it out on Beth. Paul leaves and gets a call from Peltz. He goes to Peltz's home, where Peltz tells him that his novel is no good — that he is not a good writer and that he should just stop writing.

On the way home, Paul feels relief after he has convinced himself that Peltz is crazy. Paul thinks about how all the work he has put in cannot be invalidated in such a way. When he gets home, he feels overwhelming gratitude for the things in his life. His wife walks in with Peltz's "Collected Stories." She smiles, as she thinks they are Paul's stories.