Glaphira (Firy) Oskolkoff buried the confusion of her biracial heritage - Russian, Yupik, possibly white. Firy didn't fit in a segregated Sitka, Alaska.

Childhood losses and pain caused her to seek a safe, uneventful life. Her desire for predictable, peaceful times was doomed. Still, she tried to live by Mama's words, "Love Bozhe and do what's right."

The black and white Movietonews reports shown at the local theater made the war in Europe and even the South Pacific seem far away, unreal. Then the enemy invaded Alaska. It was thought the Japanese Navy would cross the Gulf of Alaska and attack Sitka. To Firy, the more immediate danger was the thousands of American servicemen pouring into Sitka. She must protect her sisters and herself.

Amid her fears and anxieties about the war, Firy had other concerns. Ever since Papa Bill had married Mama, he and his cronies from the Sitka Café decided they had the right to interfere in her life. They thought they were doing the right thing. Crazy old coots. She could take care of herself, thank you very much.