Not Natty-Chapter One

It's 1935. Sam's construction company has had to evolve to stay in business. Sam worries about each of his children. Eddie receives comfort from his father, Mac, and Miriam but also from his teacher, Miss Marcus. His artistic ability is beginning to emerge. Mac's moving toward greater independence and love.

1932-Miriam cares for two year old Eddie while their mother continues to resent his intrusion in their lives. Gussie reminisces about her own childhood in Poland.

The Blond Tiger is a true story about Eddie Roth (pseudonym), born in 1930 in Brooklyn, NY to Gussie, who didn’t want him. Life presents many obstacles to his happiness but he eventually finds it, although not as he had originally envisioned. Gussie is a refugee from Poland. Eddie’s father, Sam, who came from Russia to escape the pogroms, has adapted to American life, and runs his own construction...

This was a true story with real people and real events.

Eddie returns from the Korean War. He and Abby reunite. What will be their future?

Natty trains in a psychiatric unit. She sees her sister in a new light. Eddie suffers in the war. He's changed.

There are changes in Rose's life that push her closer to Laura. Ira hides Abby's medication. Abby has a new perspective on her relationship with her mother.

Natty prepares to see Eddie off on the train. They share a difficult farewell.

Eddie misses Natty's 18th birthday. He is in Army basic training. He and Natty write to each other. He worries he will lose her. Herman, Rose's new husband, visits Eddie when he is home on leave. He has bad news. Eddie is worried about the potential for war.

Bob Firestone is at an end. A woman takes responsibility, but she is not the culprit. Rose never knew the end of Harry's story. Bob never told her what finally happened. Rose has a breakdown.

Rose moves in with Ira and Abby. Rose's new husband is livid. Rose begins to visit a new round of specialists with Abby but Abby takes matters into her own hands.

Natty starts nursing school. She has no money but her roommates lend her clothes so she can look fashionable on dates with Eddie. Bob Firestone runs a nightclub in Cleveland. Rose remarries. Abby's illness worsens.

Rose begins to work at the emergency room, one of the first in the country. She spends her off days with Laura who hosts Abby's wedding. Eddie prepares for the Army while Natty contemplates attending nursing school. Rose has a new love interest.

Opening and acknowledgements

Natty forgives Abby. 1930-The rest of the story. Abby and Ira elope.

Natty's forever changed by Harry's death. She and Abby insist on hearing the rest of the story of why Harry didn't practice law and how Bob Firestone had been involved. There were threats and murders.

1949- Harry's head is in the toilet. Natty discovers him. In the hospital, Harry recites poetry to Rose as she takes care of him. They reminisce about the life together. The neighbors donate blood. Rose contemplates her life without Harry.

Abby wanders at night. Abby meets Ira. He associates with gangsters at the candy store down the street. Harry becomes increasingly ill.

Abby realizes the doctors think she is mentally ill. A doctor tells Abby she should get away from her mother. Rose tries to set her up with a Jewish man in Cleveland. Abby begins to see herself differently and sneaks out at night to meet people her age. Flashback to 1930: The prosecutor and Harry talk about the case and meet with the District Attorney and the police.

Natty writes Cathy about a boy she met, Eddie. Abby resents her sister's social life. Her seizures become more frequent. Rose returns to Cleveland with Abby. This time, Natty stays home with Harry who meets Eddie. He sends the young couple to the opera.

Rose arrives home to a very ill Harry. She wished he'd never stopped practicing law. Harry tries to reconnect with his daughters.

It's 1948. Time to return to Brooklyn. Laura, Rose's close friend, begins to take over their lives.

Harry is a religious Jew. Both he and Rose were raised that way but she scorns observances. Natty has a friend, Cathy, at school. Cathy is not Jewish and worries her parents will not allow the friendship if they know Natty is Jewish. The kids call Natty "Brooklyn." Meanwhile, men start to notice Abby and Abby starts to notice herself.

Harry, a diabetic, is slowly killing himself with food. Natty and Abby beg to return home to Brooklyn to see him. Harry tries to restore his marriage to Rose. But she's disappointed to be back. Before he knows it, Rose is planning to return to Cleveland. In Cleveland,. Abby continues to torment her sister. Natty makes a good friend who seems to like her despite Natty feeling lost and insecure.

The war in Europe is ending. Harry decides to manage an Army-Navy store. Natty is living in Cleveland as her mother and Abby explore where to go next to try to cure Abby. Rose allows her cousin, recently discharged from the service, to move into their apartment. Natty sleeps on the couch. Harry visits his family in Cleveland with mixed results.