Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk

At her baby shower in 1942, Lillian is crying. Before this pregnancy, she has lost three pregnancies, and she is worried that she might be too old or career-obsessed to have a baby. Now, she will be one of the women who buys the things being advertised, rather than the one doing the advertising. Though Chester promises to send her freelance work, she knows that a certain era of her life is ending.

She and Max name the baby Massimiliano Gianluca Caputo, Jr. Lillian loves Johnny more than anything but has no desire for another baby; she feels that motherhood is both banal and hectic. She remarks that it has turned her into one of the women for whom she has always had little patience: obsessed with their baby’s every move and jealous when their husband leaves for work each morning.

Max is drafted into the army and spends 1943-1945 in Italy, leaving Lillian and Johnny on their own. Lillian writes to Max often but seldom gets satisfying replies. When he returns, he takes a job working for the government and is often traveling. Lillian and Helen collaborate on a book for new mothers, and she continues her freelance work. The family spends time together and takes vacations, but Lillian feels that she and her relationship with Max will never be the same now that they have had a child.