Part Eight: Carol Summary

Chapter 16, A lot of People's Secret, is told from Carol's point of view. It recounts the story of Carol's history during World War II. As a young girl growing up, Carol is shy and naive. When she is eleven, her younger sister Adele is born and Carol must care for the baby, including getting up with her in the middle of the night. Carol's father protects her from even playing with boys while in elementary school, and neither of her parents tell her about the facts of life. It was a more innocent time, when even after high school girls and boys go to dances separately, then out for a hot fudge sundae with their own group of same-sex friends.

When World War II starts, Carol sends an application and is soon accepted into the WACS. After basic training...