Is it time, tide or the hands of the Almighty thatshape our lives?In the setting of rural Upstate New York shortlyafter the closing of World War II, a poor farm boy, Frank Lowell falls deeplyin love with Ellen Mason, a socialite in his high school class. In a humorousmanner, Freeman Ashworth describes life in small towns during this time. Afterglowis about life in the village of Heuvelton, New York, as Frank sees it.Despite the fact that this is a story with made-up characters, the town ofHeuvelton is very real.After a few social mishaps, most teenage boys menknow enough to find girl friends within their price range, but Frank is notthat lucky. It is his ability to play the piano that endears him to the Masonfamily -- a nebulous blessing, to say the least. Unfortunately, that onlyprolongs his agony, for their romance is broken when they enter differentcolleges.In the meantime, Carol, Ellen's younger sister has acrush on Frank. When the Korean War breaks out, Frank enlists in the Air Force,becomes a pilot and goes to Korea. After several war...weary years as a pilot, heis wounded and returns home as an invalid to resume his life. He manages tofind peace with himself and continue reaching for his original goals.