Chapter 1 Summary

The setting for this chapter is New York City on a cold and windy day in November of 1944. The wind is so strong it is picking up everything off of the streets and blowing it into anyone who happens to be outdoors. The book's main character, Lutie Johnson, is looking at an apartment available for rent.

Lutie and her son Bub are living with Lutie's father and his girlfriend, Lil. Lutie wants to get Bub away from Lil. Bub is only eight years old and Lil has him lighting her cigarettes for her, and she is giving him sips of gin. Lutie fears Bub will develop a taste for cigarettes and gin, and she also fears whatever else Lil might teach the young boy.

There is a woman sitting at an open window at the apartment building as Lutie approaches. The woman speaks...