The Road to Tender Hearts

The story begins in Pondville, Massachusetts, in the spring of 2014. Dr. Gust works at the local nursing home, which has a pet cat named Pancakes. Pancakes has gained a reputation for predicting death: Whenever he spends time near a particular resident, that resident often dies shortly after. Pancakes won’t leave Dr. Gust’s office, which makes Dr. Gust nervous. He is 57, recently divorced, and hopeful about a long future. Reluctantly, Dr. Gust takes Pancakes, called a “four-legged and pawed Grim Reaper” (7), to the local animal shelter. Later that night, Pancakes escapes by picking the lock with his claws and walks out of town. The narrator emphasizes that the story isn’t just about cats, but about the burden of being human in a world where bad things happen.

PJ Halliday is 63 and lives alone in the home he once shared with his ex-wife, Ivy, and their two daughters, Sophie and Kate. Kate died tragically the night of her high school prom, and Sophie, now 22, has moved out. PJ remains friends with Ivy, who lives down the street with her partner, Fred. PJ was once a postman but lost his job after crashing the mail truck and receiving several DUIs.