When his first true love sends 19-year-old Hollis Olmstead a shocking "Dear John" letter while he is serving in the Army, he questions why God has abandoned him. Upon his discharge, he returns with a vengeance to establish an independent life, settling on Omaha, Nebraska, as his adopted hometown. The reader follows him on his journey into manhood and his experiences with God. Sometimes funny, sometimes touching and sometimes painful, Hollis's varied experiences teach him important life lessons