Summary

The brief Chapter 5 describes the relationship that Dana has with her high school boyfriend, Marcus McCready III. Dana had run into him at the local grocery store, where he was very confident and forward while flirting with her.

Chapter 6 describes the origins of the close friendship between Dana and Ronalda Harris. Ronalda had just moved to Atlanta from Indiana, and also happened to be Marcus’ neighbor. Dana begins to go over to Ronalda’s house often, to tutor her in calculus. One afternoon, when they are alone in Ronalda’s house, Ronalda shows Dana the elaborate basement study that her father has built. The two girls begin to drink from the large wine stash in a corner of the study, and begin to share their family secrets with one another. Ronalda reveals that her mother, still in Indiana, is negligent towards her but...