The second novella in the Sheltered Pandemic Trilogy, Grounded continues the story of Rachel and Carlos, living on the top floor of his late abuela's home as they try to stay safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. Grounded begins with the death of George Floyd in May 2020, and carries the characters through the end of the year as they cope with the many crises of those difficult months.

2020 in Oakland, California. A quiet neighborhood halfway up the hill. As the world is rocked by crisis upon crisis, a group of neighbors comes together in hope. 2020 is a year full of catastrophes for so many systems that keep society running, like health care, policing and law enforcement, the economy, democratic elections, and the efforts to control climate change. And these problems are not just headlines about distant places. The lives of regular people everywhere are affected, including in this neighborhood, where everyone is trying to find some sense of normalcy as they raise their children, care for their elders, upgrade their homes, work however they can, and keep dreaming their dreams for their families and the world. Together, this group of neighbors learn that they can depend on each other as they navigate a changed world.

Kathryn Kahn has lived in Oakland, California for 40 years, and is delighted to write stories that show the city's unique spirit. Before the three novellas that make up the Sheltered Pandemic trilogy, Kathryn's professional writing was functional, and she wrote for both nonprofit and for-profit companies, in industries ranging from technology to arts education and advocacy to government. She is now focused on fiction, with a goal of telling stories about ordinary people who confront big problems with a positive spirit.