Hattie Wagonner, an elderly woman, lives alone in an isolated yellow house in the Utah desert. Her life is marked by loneliness, alcohol use, and a long history of poor decisions and emotional isolation.
After a car accident caused by her unstable condition, she is injured and becomes dependent on her neighbors for help. During her recovery, she reflects on her past life, her relationships, and the mistakes she has made.
The story focuses mainly on her inner thoughts and realization, highlighting themes such as aging, loneliness, regret, and self-deception rather than external action.