Summary

When World War I begins, most Americans are not interested in it until America enters the conflict. Levine transitions his factory to meet government demand for uniform shirts. He makes a lot of money from the war, though it also makes him uncomfortable. The entire family relocates to the West End, to first and second-floor apartments to be close to one another. The apartments have indoor plumbing, electricity, and Addie gets her own room with a door.

1918 sees the arrival of the Spanish Flu epidemic. As many as 500 people a week die in Boston. Among them is Levine’s son, Myron. A day later, Leonard dies. The flu eventually passes, and becomes a horrible memory. No one has been left unaffected, and no one wants to talk about it. Betty becomes pregnant again in 1919 and gives birth to a boy named Eddy. Addie...