Summary

Chapter 1 – Josie Moraine’s mother, Louise, is a prostitute, having taken up such work after she and Josie moved back to New Orleans from Detroit when Josie was seven back in 1940. Josie remembers how her mother promised her a doll if she behaved and did as she was told. Josie recalls how she and her mother were driven to Madame Willie Woodley’s brothel on Conti Street in the French Quarter by Cokie, a dark-skinned taxi driver, who gave Josie Mary Jane molasses candy. Josie recalls her first impressions of the inside of the house being gaudy, with paintings of nude women, cigarette smoke, and stale perfume. She also recalls how Willie was at first concerned to have Josie around, deciding that Louise would have to stay elsewhere because Josie was so young.

Chapter 2 – It is New Year’s Eve, ten years later. Josie...