The novel opens with a flashback to a time before the novel was written. It is the present day, and we are introduced to a young man named Noah. He is the son of Noah's grandparents, who have come to visit their grandsons. Noah asks his grandparents why they are so early, and his grandparents tell him that they have come because they want to see him. Noah introduces his grandparents to his aunt and uncle, who are his fourth cousins. He asks his aunt if she will accept the gifts he has given them, and she tells him that if he does not accept them, they will feel bad. Noah thanks his grandparents for their hospitality, and he tells them that he has heard a lot about them. He says that before he came to the United States, he had heard about them and thought they might be a good match. He tells his aunt that he is leaving the country soon, and asks her if she would like to know if he needs