Raccoon Hill

Eighty-nine-year-old Grace is gravely ill.  As she lies in bed, she agonizes over whether she should tell her daughters that she killed their father.


The setting for Grace’s story is in the farming community of Coon Hill. In 1917, she falls in love with George Sanford. They plan to get married, but in July of 1918, the flu pandemic reaches the community, And George is among the fatal victims. Four years later, Paul Roberts starts visiting Grace.  Her mother objects to the relationship because his father is an abusive alcoholic.  Grace defends him, and when she tells her mother of her marriage plans a year later, Abbie reluctantly gives her blessings. A few months into the marriage, Paul begins to physically abuse her. Everything is revealed when her brother is walking in a field near her home and hears her scream.