They Came Like Swallows

Set against the backdrop of the 1918 influenza epidemic in a small Midwestern town, the story explores the profound impact of a mother on her family. Eight-year-old Bunny views her as a comforting presence, while his older brother Robert feels a protective instinct towards her. For their father, James, Elizabeth is the cornerstone of his existence, highlighting the family's deep emotional bonds and vulnerabilities in the face of impending loss.