Abigail Richard's earliest memory is wading with her mother in the cool waters of the creek near their home. The dark-skinned child of a mixed relationship--the only one in their turn-of-the century pioneer town--Gail finds herself ostracized in a way that only her mother understands. When her mother must leave her behind, Gail finds herself caught up in a struggle against other people's desires for how she should live her life. It is only when Gail...