The Life We Bury

Joe Talbert, a college student, only wants to finish his writing project for English class. Interviewing a stranger and creating a succinct biography of them is his assignment. Joe goes to a neighboring elderly home in search of a willing subject since he has deadlines coming up. Joe meets Carl Iverson there, and his life quickly changes beyond recognition. Carl is a dying Vietnam veteran who has served his time for murder. After serving thirty years in jail for the crimes of rape and murder, he has been medically paroled to a nursing home with just a few months to live.

When Joe writes about Carl's life, he finds it difficult to reconcile the soldier's bravery with the convict's heinous deeds in Vietnam. Joe dedicates himself to learning the truth, aided by his skeptic neighbor who shares his curiosity. However, Joe's attempts are hindered by his mother's deadly dysfunction, his remorse for putting his autistic brother in danger, and a repressed childhood memory. Joe gradually reveals the layers of Carl's belief one by one. However, the stakes rise as he and Lila delve farther into the details of the murder. Will Joe find out the truth before it's too late and avoid the consequences?