Pittsburgh, 1921. Magda emerges from the crucible of the Great War and Spanish flu, scarred but determined to reclaim her aspirations to complete a college degree and help disabled veterans recover their lives. 

The Roaring Twenties beckon with promises of liberation—women's suffrage, daring fashions, music and dances flouting convention—and a victorious nation seemingly full of opportunity. But America’s golden facade conceals darker truths pushing against the hopes of many. Magda’s natural optimism and ambition are challenged by the lingering trauma from the war, economic anxieties, and vagaries of fortune that reveal themselves at unexpected turns. 

She cannot escape the emotional pull of her family and friends, their relentless needs for her time and her support. In this compelling sequel to Magda, Standing, one young woman strives to gain enough control of her own life to help others gain more control of theirs. Caring for herself versus caring for others—where should she draw the line?