New York Apartment

Ruth's parents have an apartment in New York City, the site of her earliest memories. The apartment is decorated in Mother's flamboyant style, including a huge bare tree festooned with seasonal decorations in one corner. The decor is a jumble of Mother clashing styles including Danish modern furniture and antiques.

Aunt Birdie's Apartment

Ruth's elderly foster grandmother, called "Aunt Birdie", provides a refuge for the young girl in her apartment.

Europe

Ruth travels to Europe several times with her parents. During one of the earlier trips, she makes the mistake of admiring her mother's ability to speak French.

New York

Although Ruth grows up in New York, when she returns during the summer after college, she sees a new side of the city, working with underprivileged single mothers.

Food

Food is not just sustenance for Ruth, it becomes a major theme of her life. It...