Content Warning: This section of the guide describes and discusses the source text’s treatment of mass shootings, sexual assault, domestic abuse, alcohol addiction, and ableism.

Sam Pickett prepares his lesson plans for the upcoming fall semester at the high school in Willow Creek, Montana. He stares out the window at the high school and thinks about the day his wife, Amy, died. Amy went inside a Burger King while Sam waited outside. Sam heard gunshots and saw a large group of people running out of the Burger King. Sam rushed inside, looking for Amy, and found her body on the ground. Sam knelt beside Amy. In the present, Sam thinks of the Bible verse, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away” (12), but he does not find comfort in it.

Truly Osborn, the school principal, walks into Sam’s office. Truly says that despite the basketball team’s losing streak over the past years, the school board decided to fund the program again. Truly thanks Sam for coaching the team for the past five years, but he wants to give Sam a break and ask someone else to coach the team. Sam feels disappointed, but he does not say anything.