Summary

Chapter 18 recalls a traumatic event from Chaurisse’s childhood. One day when she was five years old, she was sitting around the salon and waiting for her mother to wrap up. A woman suddenly came in right before closing. Laverne agrees to see her, though, and as Laverne works on her hair, the woman talks very seriously about both her man and her life’s mission as a Christian. The next day, James uncharacteristically bursts into the salon, reporting a piece of news to Laverne: the woman who had been the customer was in the news for pouring hot grits on the famous singer Al Green.

In Chapter 19, James and Raleigh begin to plan an elaborate surprise party for Laverne, to celebrate the Pink Fox being in business for 20 years. Chaurisse is unsure if the surprise element of the party is a good...