Charley loves Eve. Eve loves Charley. Claudette loves Charley. Gene loves Claudette. Mugsy loves firearms and so does Jane, but she also craves Grandville who craves her. Miranda loves Alf, but he can't stand her. Now things get complicated. Love can be like that.

Volume III begins in May 1988 when Mary graduates SS James and Martha prep. She matriculates at Ilium College, makes new friends, finds new interests and falls in love. More importantly: what happens to the college? It ends with Mary studying for her finals in May 1990.

Volume V covers Mary Burkhardt's life from the day after she graduates college (or from college) through the summer of 1993. In three months, two weeks and one day she attends three weddings, catches two bouquets and is hired by one company. A lot happens.

Volume VI: January, 1993 begins an incredibly tumultuous year for dear sweet Mary, reaching its climax in January, 1994. For one thing, she quits her nationally prestigious position to become a wedding planner in her adoptive city, Nanticoke. Then while hunting butterflies with her brother George, she gets caught in a fishing line belonging to Clark Aldrich and his nephew Thomas. Guess what happens then?