Twyla and Roberta are roomed together at the orphanage after their mothers are unable to take care of them. One is black and one is white, but it’s not specified who is who. The girls bond over their similarities, but Twyla is embarrassed by her mother and wishes she was more like Roberta’s. The girls meet later as adults when Twyla is working at a diner that Roberta eats with some male friends. Roberta is rude and condescending to Twyla. They meet twelve years after as married women at a gourmet market where wealthy Roberta feels comfortable and middle class Twyla feels out of her element. They meet again when Twyla sees Roberta picketing against the desegregation of schools and Twyla responds by making her own signs to argue with Roberta.