As Red and Abby Whitshank prepare for bed one night in July 1984, their son, Denny, calls them and proclaims that he’s gay. After Red’s audible annoyance, Denny quickly hangs up. Abby’s upset with Red for being so rude, but Red rationalizes that not only is Denny not gay, but he only said it to elicit anger. Denny, a 19-year-old kid who lives a nomadic lifestyle, enjoys being the “black sheep” of his family: They never know his whereabouts, and he doesn’t keep in constant contact. Despite Abby’s concern, Red assures her Denny will call back one day. She soon blames Red for Denny’s behavior, however, while Red blames her for mothering Denny too much. Abby is a social worker, and he feels she mixes work life with home life, while Red is a construction worker who, according to Abby, chased Denny away with burdensome masculinity. Red eventually comforts Abby, and they fall asleep in each other’s arms.

Denny resurfaces. He calls once to ask for money for college books, and another time to obtain a ticket home for Christmas. Both times, however, his sexuality isn’t touched upon. Instead, the Whitshanks learn that Denny has withdrawn from school and is going to visit a girlfriend—of whom neither know anything about—before Christmas.