Outskirts Press, INC.

United States Marine John Hills is on a train, heading home from the Korean War. At a farm just outside of Crawford, Nebraska, John’s family members are anxiously awaiting his arrival—well, all but one…

The local newspaper had called John a hero as the only survivor of the small constituent of Crawford Marine Reservists called up for the Korean War. But nine-year-old Tommy dreads his father’s homecoming, vividly remembering his mother’s threat the previous day. “Wait until your father comes home, young man,” Mildred Hills had told her son. “You’ll get the lickin’ of your life!”

This is the story of a young boy prompted by fear to run away from home. He is followed into the unknown by his grandfather, whose unfortunate mishap forces Tommy to put his grandfather’s teachings to good use and, with the help of his loyal dog, save the patriarch’s life. Meanwhile at home, John Hills’ uncontrolled anger leads to a perilous accident. Tommy’s disillusioned grandmother and the actions of a close friend further complicate the lives of one Nebraska Panhandle family in the gripping saga of Panhandlers.