A down-on-his-luck man decides that, after eight years (or is it nine) of being estranged from his daughter, it is the right time to seek her out for reunification. She has never been out of his thoughts.
The man, Barton Sorensen, ran way when his wife ran off with another man, taking their daughter with her. He didn't stick around to fight for custody. Heart broken and embarrassed, he quickly left Abilene, Texas heading north without having a predetermined destination. He ended up in Northern Manitoba.
In time, the economy in the Manitoba mining town took a serious hit. Barton who was an illegal immigrant in Canada and his new partner, Marjorie, lost their jobs and ended up being homeless.
This is the story of them picking up the pieces and heading out to relocate Barton's daughter.
Most of their travelling is done by hopping aboard boxcars on south bound freight trains.
Get to know some of the people that these two nomads meet up with and experience some of their harrowing experiences.
Barton is haunted throughout the journey by doubting that his now sixteen- year-old daughter would want to have him back in her life. The reader shares his doubts. Marjorie is the wind at his back.
Hop on the boxcars and join their journey.