A story of terror and racism in which a black woman who works for the wealthy Compson family who has been beaten by a white man from who she demanded payment, was subsequently jailed and attempted suicide before being released to live in terror of the return of her boyfriend Jesus whom she thinks will kill her. Her emotional protection against the anxiety of the waiting is the children of Compson family with whom she gets along so well. When Mr. Compson arrives, she expects him to be her savior, but instead he takes the kids home and leaves her to face the consequences of the return of her boyfriend, Jesus.