Billy Dickens is a 13-year-old boy who lives with his mother, Chrissie, and older sister, Belinda, in Fort Pierce, Florida. Billy’s father, Dennis, abandoned the family when Billy was only four. Despite his absence, Dennis still sends a monthly check to support the family, but Billy’s mother always tears up the envelopes so that her children won’t be able to learn where their father is. She believes that Dennis Dickens should make the first move to reconnect with his children. Chrissie exhibits some unusual behavior of her own. She is obsessed with observing bald eagle nesting sites and often moves the family from town to town whenever a new site catches her interest. Billy’s older sister Belinda is relieved to be going away to college in the fall because once she begins classes, she won’t have to move again for a while.

At school, Billy prefers to keep his distance from other students, believing that it is better not to grow attached to any one place since Chrissie will probably move the family again soon. Aside from being a loner, Billy has one unusual interest: He likes snakes and isn’t afraid to handle poisonous reptiles.