In 1952 El Paso, Diego Ramirez, 15, illiterate, an arsonist, torches the barn where his abusive stepfather is working. Believing he has killed the man, he steals his mother's life savings, dimes and nickels, and flees the ranch. He hitchhikes through Texas, accepting rides from anyone who offers, a bigoted truck driver, a woman who only gives rides to children of crippled spirit, a salesman who feeds Diego's dreams of success, and a lonely widow, who takes him in only to let him go. It is through these drivers and others who pick Diego up that Diego unravels his crime and the crimes committed against him.