permeate the stories. The opening of the book sets the scene in a serene parsonage garden adjacent to a graveyard, highlighting the juxtaposition of life and death. The parson's wife frequently walks among the graves, finding comfort in the stillness despite societal norms that view such proximity as unsettling. As she strolls one summer evening with a friend, their conversation shifts to a specific grave that sparks memories of a girl named Barbara, who becomes a central figure in the unfolding narrative. The reader senses the deep connection and emotional weight Barbara holds, beginning a tale filled with trials related to her upbringing and inner struggles, foreshadowing the life-altering choices she will face later. Overall, the opening serves as an evocative prelude to the themes of love, loss, and the search for belonging that Frohnmeyer examines in her stories. (This is an automatically generated summary.)