Summary

Chapter 5 does not resume the linear narrative, but reveals each girl's background through a series of past and present images about their mothers and themselves.

Gigi's mother attempted to impart a belief in the "curse" of her dark skin when Gigi was only six years old by standing her in front of a mirror and telling her that her great-grandmother was a mixture of Chinese and a "mulatto." Gigi wrestled with this, believing at times that her skin was that of a monster and other times was beautiful. Her dream was to be on screen or stage. Her beauty was also a curse, drawing a homeless and drug-addicted veteran to molest her in the stairwell of her apartment building. The girls bought razor blades and promised to help her kill him.

Angela had light skin and a sadness that the other girls did not...