Peet and her younger sister Louisa lives in rural Edgecombe County in North Carolina with their grandparents while their mother is away working in another state. One day, Peet notices her grandmother offers watermelon to a guest. Peet yearns for a slice of watermelon that Grandma has placed on the porch for guests and feels upset that she was not immediately invited to have some. Later on, Peet learns a lesson from her mother about the importance of waiting patiently for whatever she wants.