Gwendy's Button Box

Content Warning: This section contains references to suicide, mass suicide, suicidal ideation, child death, alcohol use disorder, violence, and sexual assault.

In 1974 in Castle Rock, Maine, Gwendy Peterson runs the Suicide Stairs, a tall flight of stairs that climbs up a hill, every day in the hopes she will lose weight before going to middle school. One day, a man named Richard Farris approaches her. She’s noticed Mr. Farris sitting there before, but this is the first day he has spoken to her. Gwendy hesitates to talk to Mr. Farris since she doesn’t know him, but the two engage in small talk before Gwendy explains she needs to go.

Mr. Farris tells Gwendy he’s been watching her and knows that someone has made her self-conscious about her weight. She agrees, explaining that Frankie Stone nicknamed her “Goodyear.” Mr. Farris applauds her for her initiative and then tells her he has a gift for her because she is young and seems responsible. Gwendy asks if Mr. Farris wants to hurt her, but he promises he doesn’t.

Mr. Farris instead brings out a canvas bag. In the canvas bag is a wooden box.