Lilac Girls

Chapter 37 is the first chapter in Part 3 of Lilac Girls. It is now 1957 and Kasia struggles with her family in Communist Poland. Halina is now 10 years old and wants desperately to be an artist. Kasia and her family have been sharing the old apartment with Papa, Marthe, and Zuzanna. Kasia’s leg continues to hurt her. Kasia and Pietrik no longer share a bed; things have been strained between them and they are unable to communicate. Zuzanna has been working at the hospital as a doctor. At dinner, Marthe gives Halina some paints and brushes; furious, Kasia slaps her daughter and takes the paints. After, Marthe tells Kasia that it is time she moves on from her mother’s death and show Halina and Pietrik that she loves them. Despite her rage at Marthe, she knows the older woman is right. Kasia falls asleep, resolving to let people in.

Chapter 38 finds Caroline in the years 1957 and 1958. Caroline and her mother have returned to New York; they continue to throw balls and attempt to raise money for different causes. Attention for the European countries impacted by the war has faded, although Caroline continues to try and raise money for the Rabbits.