Pat

Life is good in Calter Creek, Ohio. Pat Fraser loves her comfortable little house in a peaceful, 1940s neighborhood. When she learns of plans to build a mall on the vacant lot across the street, she sees red-and vows that no concrete monstrosity will deface her world.

She's not overly fond of the developers, either - to put it mildly. Especially Alan Carmichael. He's always been a hard man with his eye on the main chance, and she feels nothing but contempt for him.

Then Jason, an abandoned preteen, finds his way into both their lives.

Between Alan, the mall, and Jason, Pat's world is turned upside down. Ultimately, it's up to her to make room for the changes shaking the foundation of her life.