It is March, and 10-year-old Marly is traveling in the car with her mother, her father, and her 12-year-old brother, Joe. They are traveling from Pittsburgh to Grandma’s house in Maple Hill. Marly begs her mother, Lee, to repeat a phrase she calls the “scoot thing” (9), which comes from a story she tells the children about visiting her Grandma when she was a child. Her mother refuses to say the phrase as she is trying to not to disturb Marly’s father, Dale, who is tired and agitated. Marly’s Daddy is a World War II veteran and has residual trauma from being a prisoner of war. Since his miraculous return home, he dislikes loud noises and always seems tired. The family is moving to Maple Hill in hopes that living in the peace of the country will help him to heal.

Marly loves to hear Grandma’s words as told by her mother because the words convey their history. Her mom finally relents and says, “Now scoot, you two, for goodness sakes! Up here, there’s all outdoors!” (10) Marly remembers when her mother first told her the story and explained that Grandma tried to sweep her and her brother out the door with the broom, encouraging them to stay outside in nature instead of being bored inside.