Publisher's Synopsis
It's the summer of '58 and Carrie Sue LaMonte plans to spend it swimming in the creek and listening to rock and roll in the shade of her beloved, lop-sided porch. The last thing she wants to do is work at the Shady Willows Inn, "fetchin' and haulin' for the rich folk." But the inn's owner and Carrie Sue's mama have other ideas. They think it's about time the almost 14 year old girl earns her keep. Reluctantly, Carrie Sue drags her feet down a path that leads to discovery of family secrets and acceptance. Along the way, her life becomes entangled with two of the most unlikeliest people - handsome and popular Billy Henshaw and his sister, Loretta. The "snootiest" girl around. Moody and socially reclusive, Mama Caroline has some life lessons to face also. She's been hiding from shame and hurt for far too long. Slowly she realizes there is still hope and maybe love to be found. It's not all school dances, trips to St. Louis, and first love for Carrie Sue...there is sadness, humiliation and tragedy to overcome, but jigger-bugging at the Imperial and Billy Henshaw help a lot.
