Prologue & Chapter 1: First Day Summary

Pearl in the Mist begins with a letter from teenage protagonist Ruby (Landry) Dumas to her half brother, Paul. Ruby was raised in the bayou with Paul, and almost had a romantic relationship with him until they discovered they were related. Now, Ruby lives with her father's family in New Orleans, including her twin sister, Gisselle, and her stepmother, Daphne. In the letter, Ruby describes her apprehension at starting a new private school in Greenwood, but her determination to please her father and create peace in the family; Daphne dislikes Ruby so much she tried to have her committed to a mental institution the previous year. Going away to school will placate Daphne and reduce Ruby's father's constant worrying. Ruby worries that she will be judged for her Cajun, lower class upbringing, at a private school where...