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implied the U.S. frontier had moved to the Rhine. The press reports were alarming.
    Dad asked Abe, “Any inside information?”
    Abe nodded. “Hitler’s Luftwaffe—the bombers are using an X-apparatus. By interlocking navigational beams, they can hit within 300 yards of a target. They’ve gained superiority over the Polish air force. Roosevelt has asked Congress for millions more dollars for defense.”
    Mama said, “Why? Roosevelt promised we’d stay neutral.”
    Dad said, “He’s asking Congress for a revision of the Neutrality Law, Anna. Europe’s a powder keg waiting to blow. He wants to send aid to England if they need it.”
    With Abe standing next to her in his uniform, Margie felt protective. She leaned against him, catching the smell of shaving lotion. She didn’t want to lose him to a faraway war.
    He leaned back against her as if to say, Love you , and asked , “How’s the job hunt going?”
    “Good! Mama worked her magic. I got hired as assistant director at the Ann Arbor Chapter of the American Red Cross. I start two weeks from tomorrow.”
    The job offer came from Myra Walker, the director of the Chapter and her mother’s good friend. Although it was the only employment opportunity Margie had received, she had mixed feelings about it. She would be living at home and taking the train to work—unless she could talk Dad into letting her rent an apartment. Diane had asked her to share one. How much fun that would be—a few months of freedom while she planned her December wedding. She had to let Diane know her decision soon, and she feared her Dad’s old-fashioned notions.
    “Look, they’re cutting the cake. Does anyone want some?”
    Evelyn stood in the crowd gathered around the cake table. She nudged Abe with her elbow. “You’re a dreamboat of a man in a uniform, flyboy.” Her gaze traveled up and down him.
    He flashed a smile of even, white teeth. “You’re a tease. I know all about you.”
    “Oh, I doubt that.” Evelyn poked Margie. “Hey kid, what rumors have you been spreading about me?”
    Margie raised her eyebrows innocently. “Only the juicy ones, Evie. I promise. No others.”
    “All right, then. If it’s only them and no others. I guess it doesn’t matter anyway, because I’m leaving town. Did Margie tell you, Abe? I’ll be at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Annapolis, Maryland. I wish she could come with me.”
    Abe said, “You’ll have to stand in line. I have first dibs.” He winked at Margie.
    She slapped his arm. “First dibs? For all you know, I just might go with the highest bidder!”
    After the festivities, Dad packed Margie’s bags in the trunk of the car. As she slid into the back beside Frank, sadness settled over her. While Evelyn headed off to new adventures in Annapolis, and Abe learned to fly airplanes in sunny Bakersfield, she sat here in her parents’ car, returning to her childhood home. A rogue tear rolled down her cheek that she quickly wiped away. She should be happy. Her long years of education were behind her, and she had a coveted job waiting. Still, all she felt was cross. Looks like I’m going nowhere .
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    Little River, Michigan, Summer 1939
     
    Frank could hardly contain himself, waiting for Dad to reveal his surprise, which turned out to be bigger than Margie had dared expect. Dad handed her the keys to his Pontiac coupe and opened the driver’s side door. “I’ve been saving her for you, Margie. She runs as smooth as she did the day I bought her. She’s yours now.”
    Speechless, she laughed in delight, but inside her head she heard the words goodbye, apartment . She swallowed her disappointment and kissed her father’s beaming face. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.” The maroon car, with its black landau top, shone like a new penny.
    Mama said, “He had it painted, and he polished all the trim by hand. Isn’t it pretty?”
    “I helped,” Frank said, pointing out the wood-spoke wheels he