Publisher's Synopsis
The story opens in New York City. GAILE PETER's single mom, a fashion artist, dies in a terrible car accident, and Gaile, African-American, 15, is willed as a deathbed wish to her mother's oldest friend, SHIRLEY JANSSEN, white, in her late 30's, also a single mom. Gaile moves in with Shirley, and her fifteen year old daughter, CHESLEY. Although they've known each other all their lives, Chesley and Gaile have little in common. Pretty, athlete, popular, self-centered Gaile is embarrassed by nerdy, klutzy, insecure Chesley. Gaile tries to contact her long missing jazz musician father, BOOKER, in San Diego, but is unsuccessful. She settles in with Chesley - who feels invaded by her presence - and Shirley for what she figures is a three year stay. But fate intervenes in the form of a New York Human Services worker named TREADER, who is ordered by higher ups during an election year to enforce the law and make Gaile go through the foster home process like every other orphan. Shirley must apply as a foster parent to raise Gaile. When an appeals court upholds the ruling, Gaile hits the road in search of her father. Chesley, believing her mother will blame her for Gaile leaving, goes with her.
