Summary

In Part 1, “Vivian, 1953,” Vivian had lived in the Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco for 25 years. It had taken her time to adjust to the weather and culture after leaving St. Francisville, Louisiana. Now, she was an active member of the community and had many friends. These were the people “who’d rebirthed her once her husband [Ellis] had died” (4).

Vivian returned home to her three daughters, Ruth, Esther, and Chloe, and her neighbor, Mary. After instructing the girls about dinner, she sat with Mary. Mary wanted to know if she and Preacher Thomas had started dating. Everyone suspected something was between them. Vivian insisted she was too busy with the girls’ singing careers to worry about men. She had been their manager for years. Now they were performing “at the Champagne Supper Club every Friday” (7).

Mary revealed her latest news. Mr. Franklin...