When his mother decides on a whim to become a missionary in Africa and drags his unwilling father along, Henry is left in the care of his aunts, Magnolia and Pigg. Henry is sure they dislike him and tries to keep his distance by moving into a closet, but that becomes more difficult when Mag decides they should take a destination-less road trip. Mag, convalescing from an illness that makes her look like death, is downright crabby. Pigg, tense from driving, is becoming more assertive and less willing to submit to Mag's whims.

They go to Virginia Beach (too hot); try camping in the Everglades (Henry spends four days lost in the swamp); visit Henry's granddaddy (Henry has never met him); and lose Pigg to love in Oklahoma before they finally receive word that Henry's parents are coming back. Henry is often in despair -- until he surrenders to the road. A trip that at first seemed formless and meaningless slowly comes into focus and, in Horvath's inimitable way, becomes important and deeply meaningful.