Sedaris describes an experience in which his father promised to buy the family a beach house but soon broke the promise. The broken promise brought problems to both his present and future family life. The story begins in a laundry room, where both David and his mother are standing behind a woman who talks about "one of her houses" (Sedaris 1) during the tour of the garden. The Sedaris family dreamed of owning more than one home like this woman. So, when Sedaris' father suggested that they "skip the middlemen and buy a place" (Sedaris 3) in their dream vacation spot, the Emerald Isle, the family became very enthusiastic. Their excitement overlooks the fact that her father is known for making promises he can never keep. Ignoring this trait of their father, Sedaris' family manages to become so enthusiastic about the potential beach house that they begin suggesting names to it, such as The Nut Hut, The Tar Heel, and The Shell Station. Sedaris offers the name Ship Shape, as the house is shaped like a