Summary

In Chapter 1, the narrator and her sister Debbie got ready to go to the bar Salvation. While the narrator still lived with their mother, Debbie lived with her boyfriend, Dominic. The narrator studied Debbie as she did her makeup. Unlike the narrator, Debbie “wore her body like she owned it” (4).

The narrator “had just graduated high school” and planned to attend community college before transferring to UCLA (4). Debbie had planned the night at Salvation “as a graduation present” (4).

Located in East Hollywood, Salvation “used to be a Christian bookstore” (6). After finding a seat, Debbie urged the narrator to try some pills, teasing her for being a narc (8). The narrator finally ceded. The night passed in a blur. The narrator met someone named Ronnie. They talked for hours.

At Debbie’s afterwards, Debbie was offended the narrator had abandoned her for Ronnie. Although Debbie...