Summary

In Chapter 1, set in Philadelphia in October 1948, Fatty was running late. So, Ruby Pearsall had to hurry to arrive at her class for the Armstrong Associations We Rise Program on time. She had been warned that if she was late again she would be written up. Ruby was counting on being one of the two students from the program selected for a scholarship to Cheyney University.

Since Fatty claimed she had no bus fare Ruby could borrow, Ruby had to walk back home. Ruby's mother, Inez, generally kept some change hidden in a drawer. At the apartment, however, Ruby found Leap, her mother’s boyfriend, there alone. She could not find any spare change. So, Leap agreed to give her bus fare, but only if she would kiss him. Desperate to get to class, Ruby agreed, but her mother walked in on...