The novel begins in retrospect with the lead female reflecting on the night her father was killed four years earlier. That night, Nora Guerraoui is at a celebratory dinner with her friend Margo when she receives the news via telephone. She drives to her parents’ house to mourn with her mother Maryam. Nora’s father worked late in his restaurant and was hit by a speeding car. The driver left him to die on the asphalt. The police have no leads. Nora tries to comfort her mother. 

Jeremy Gorecki goes to the gym early to help deal with his insomnia. He finishes his cardio routine as his friend Fierro enters and will not stop “talking about his ex” (7). Fierro competitively adds extra weights to Jeremy’s barbells and continues to talk while Jeremy lifts. The two men served in the Marines together in Iraq and now both work out in the same gym. Jeremy worries about the time as his boss Vasco is desperate for an opportunity to punish him. He finishes his routine, advises Fierro to finalize his divorce from Mary, and invites Fierro to his sister’s barbecue.

Jeremy drives to work in his Jeep but arrives late.