When Frankie's mother died and her father left her and her siblings at an orphanage in Chicago
it was supposed to be only temporary - just long enough for him to get back on his feet and be
able to provide for them once again. That's why Frankie's not prepared for the day that he
arrives for his weekend visit with a new woman on his arm and out-of-state train tickets in his
pocket.Now Frankie and her sister Toni are abandoned alongside so many other orphans - two
young unwanted women doing everything they can to survive.And as the embers of the Great
Depression are kindled into the fires of World War II and the shadows of injustice poverty
and death walk the streets in broad daylight it will be up to Frankie to find something worth
holding on to in the ruins of this shattered America - every minute of every day spent
wondering if the life she's able to carve out will be enough
