Wayne's story starts in the summer of 1949 when he is 17 years old. He and his friends go to Hopewell, Arkansas which is only 10 miles from home to meet the new girls starting high school. He meets a girl named Jerry. He doesn't realize it at the time but she is his true love. In the fall they start school and dating. During this time Wayne's family lose their farm due to boll weevils and drought. The family has to move to Texas to find work. This leaves Wayne in a predicament, does he stay in school to be with Jerry or does he move to Texas to be with family? Also, the Korean War is in full swing and the draft is going calling all young me to join in the fight.