Barbara Orsini, shy and almost thirty, is

the last of her family to move out on

her own. Only a short bus ride away

from her parents house, Barbara dis-

covers an intriguing new world. As a

receptionist at the neighborhood coun-

seling center, she sees hope and despair

in equal measure. Her neighbor, Paul

Felice, a graduate student from the

West Indies, becomes a supportive

friend, yet their alliance makes her

Italian-American family decidedly

uneasy. Barbara gains strength with

every challenge, and when budget cuts

threaten her job, she defiantly stands up

for her rights.

Throughout the novel, we listen to

Barbara s private thoughts. As she

relaxes on her windowseat, takes "a

dream of a soak" in the tub, or com-

miserates with the troubled women at

the center, "something moving inside"

sings out. Barbara, excited by new

ideas, emerges into a complex and

promising world. "Love need only be

sung of softly; Paul tells her. Barbara s

voice is quiet, but her song is profound.

Gradually, the "secret words" she has

been absent-mindedly scribbling on bus

stop shelters become the inspiring lyr-

ics of a remarkable life.