The story begins with a detective who relocated from St. Paul to Fort Lauderdale because his wife wanted to experience humidity. This move was driven by her peculiar desire, and he adapted to life in Florida, leaving behind his previous life in Minnesota. After ten years, she returned to the Twin Cities, but the detective remained in Florida, now divorced and enduring the hot climate for most of the year.

Throughout this time, the detective's life seems marked by departure and change. His wife’s brief return highlights her longing for familiarity, but he stays in the hot, humid environment, perhaps also reflecting his own sense of being trapped or disconnected. The text hints at the contrasts between their choices and the ongoing challenges of living in such different environments.