4
The Silver Lining
September 1944 — Evelyn“Danny’s ten months old now, Mama. I can do this—I know things are tight.”
Marie straightened a doily in the sitting room and pushed a pile of Danny’s blocks into the corner. “Times are tight for everyone right now. You don’t need to work. We’ll make it through.”
“I know, but Christmas will be here before you know it and I want to help.” Evelyn rubbed at a spot on the loveseat and puffed a stray hair out of her eyes. She’d seen the worry her parents carried. It was true that everyone seemed to be barely scraping by. Every trip to the grocery store was like walking a tightrope. With only enough money for essentials, Evelyn felt if she took too much off the shelf, her balance on the tightrope would falter and she’d plummet to the ground. Evelyn
