Summary

In Chapter 1, "October 1992," Ray arrived early at his bakery, Superfine, with his "little boy, Gee" (1). Ray and one of his former coworkers, Linette, had opened the shop together. Today a reporter was coming to do a story on them. Ray was eager for everything to work out. He wanted to propose to his girlfriend, Gee's mom, Jade. He wanted to provide for their family.

When Linette arrived, she scolded Ray for bringing Gee. Linette disliked Jade and disapproved of her parenting.

Jade "burst into Superfine" a few hours later (6). She insisted she could take care of Gee. Though Jade had gone out the night before, Ray did not blame her. Jade left, telling Ray to meet her at her cousin Wilson's house after his shift (9). Ray worried about Wilson’s influence on Jade. Wilson lived "in a rough corner of the east side...