Living with the Hawk explores the traumatic events in the life of Blair Russell, a high school football player who struggles to do what's right in tough circumstances. Key characters are his brother, Blake, the team quarterback; Jordan Phelps, the star receiver, a kid with a need to control others; Paul Russell, his father, an Anglican priest; and Barb Russell, his mother. Blair is the subject of taunting and hazing, including physical intimidation on the football field by Jordan. His brother Blake used to stick up for him, but seems ambivalent about helping him now, a concern that Blair both resents and yet understands.