The main character of A Long Walk is a retired high school principal named George, who has been struggling to come to terms with his wife's death due to alcoholism. Feeling lonely and disconnected from the world, George decides to move to a small apartment in a rural town, hoping to find a sense of purpose and community in the quaint surroundings.
Upon arriving in the town, George meets a neglected little girl named Lily, who lives in the same apartment building. Despite their age difference, George and Lily quickly become friends, bonding over their shared love of reading and their mutual sense of isolation.
As George begins to spend more time with Lily, he starts to uncover the harsh realities of her life - her absentee mother, her overworked and uninvolved father, and her struggles at school. Determined to help her in any way he can, George becomes a mentor and confidante to Lily, offering her guidance and support as she navigates the challenges of growing up.
However, as George and Lily's friendship deepens, he realizes that he must navigate his own inner demons and feelings of grief if he wants to truly be there for her. With Lily's help and encouragement, George learns to face his past and come to terms with his present - ultimately finding grace and healing in the unlikely bond between a retired principal and a neglected little girl.