Piecing Me Together

The next Woman to Woman gathering is at the home of Sabrina, the program’s founder. It is “girl talk night” and tonight’s topic is dating: “I can tell by the looks on everyone’s faces who’s excited about talking about dating and who’s terrified” (81). Jade is ambivalent about dating; she does not have much experience and spends most of her time focusing on school.

The 12 girls and their mentors sit cross-legged on the floor of Sabrina’s lavish home. They go around a circle, and each of the mentors will offer up a piece of advice she wishes she had known in high school. One mentor begins by saying that, in order to love someone else, you must first love yourself: “All the women are nodding, their heads moving like synchronized swimmers” (83). Another mentor reminds the girls that they are still growing and learning about themselves; their taste in whom they choose to love will evolve over time “in ways you can’t even imagine” (83). Maxine is noticeably quiet, and Jade wonders if she is worried about being “called out” for her bad relationship with Jon, her ex-boyfriend. After the rest of the mentors have spoken, Sabrina takes out index cards on which the girls have written questions anonymously.