Paul was born in '37, the son of Maple City's first illegit--i--mate child. Because of his father's illegitimacy, the elitists in his hometown shun him. Although brilliant, his childhood was miserable and worsens when alcoholism claims his father. A second father image teaches Paul to box and run distance. Sports earn him respectability and the enduring friendship of a black athlete, John. He finds love. Paul has found happiness, but his family's history haunts him. He attacks a pedophile for molesting his sister. After his crime is dis--covered, he is forced into the military at seventeen. In the military, he learns his bio--logi--cal grand--father owns a cattle ranch in Montana. After four years, Paul is discharged. Unable to re--turn to Maple City, he finds his grand--father. After inheriting the ranch and a fortune, he marries. Now, Paul can return to Maple City and avenge his family's persecutors.