pOn a sweltering Fourth of July, the suicide of fourteen-year-old Maureen Bower's father shatters her security. She fears that eventually, everyone she loves will abandon her.ppWith the words, May I have this dance, Frank Russo introduces himself to Maureen at a roller-skating rink. As he teaches her skate dancing, she falls deeply in love with him. Meanwhile, the country advances further into World War 2. They wait until they feel it is safe to marry only to return from their honeymoon to find Frank's draft notice. He leaves for the Pacific and is gone for the next three years. When Frank's best friend, Harvey, dies at Normandy, Maureen's closest friend, June, walks out of her life too.ppFrank returns from the war physically and emotionally scarred, Maureen does her best to mend him until their first child's birth hastens his recovery. They share rich experiences, develop close friendships, raise two daughters and eventually welcome the young women's husbands into their lives. When th