Natural and man-made disasters uproot and claim the lives of millions during the 1980’s: famine, earthquakes, cyclones, toxic leaks and a nuclear meltdown in Russia. In the United States, homelessness raises its ugly face and people finally wake up to the devastating plague of AIDS. Stricter lessons are administered to the Mikkelsons as well; their father is “pulled from the race” much earlier than anyone hoped.

In California, Line’s hospital work affords her plenty of opportunity for service. Her kids are growing up; Christy is particularly incorrigible. Marty enjoys being a yuppie, but her marriage has not matured into a partnership. Perhaps it won’t. Paul and Marie find home in a northern Minnesota town, but they are poor, and new responsibilities require Paul, to lead his family.