The story opens with 8-year-old Rose Daniels, who is seen conversing with an unseen entity in the thicket behind her house. She feels sad because her beloved older brother, Eric, is about to leave for university. Rose lives with her father, Nate, her mother, Mary, and Eric, highlighting the close-knit family dynamic.

The Daniels family shares a strong bond with their next-door neighbors, the Waters. They often gather for meals and dinners together. Nate and Dan Waters are not only neighbors but also childhood friends, and Dan’s daughter, Jessica, treats Rose like a little sister, further emphasizing the warmth and connection between the two families.