Penny leads a sheltered life, and is "madly in love" with the boy next door, Eddie. Eddie gets married, has two children and his wife is suddenly killed... and still Penny loves him, hoping to replace his wife some day. Eddie signs up to fight in WWII, and needs someone to care for his children... Penny eagerly volunteers - not knowing what she might be getting herself into, but hoping it will eventually end with a marriage proposal from Eddie.

Penny learns so much about life, herself and the people in the world around her by stepping out and standing up to her mildly abusive parents who shelter her under the guise of protection. She moves in with the children in a predominently Jewish neighborhood and befriends the old man downstairs along with the children.... even though she has been taught to fear and hate Jewish people her whole life. She shyly talks to a man on the bus on her way to work and they become good friends... even though she has been taught to never talk to men, or strangers of any kind. She learns to drive a bus and take charge of her life during the shortage of men for "men's jobs" during the war... even though she has been taught to never leave the house because she is a woman, and women belong in the home behind closed doors.

This is a story of a 25 year old women finally coming of age, of a 13 year old girl trying to figure out who she is now that her Mother is dead, a 10 year old boy who struggles with a terrible secret, and a 60+ year old man who is desperate to find his family in Hungary during a war that is killing off all people who share his faith -- a faith he is also struggling with.
It is a beautiful story filled with faith, and fear and heart warming acceptance. They should definitely make a move out of this!!