Piecing Me Together: Chapters 1 - 2 Summary & Analysis

Jade says that she’s learning to speak. This will give her “a way out” and “a way in.” Jade introduces the reader to the Spanish word for succeed, tener éxito. She says she thinks it’s ironic that the word “exit” is in it. It seems like the universe is telling her that she has to leave home in order to make something of her life. To a degree, Jade is already doing this: she’s been attending St. Francis High School on the other side of town for the last two years, though she begged Mom to let her attend Northside, the neighborhood high school. Mom refused, insisting that St. Francis is a “good opportunity.” Jade knows that this means the high school is white and expensive. Fortunately, Jade received a full scholarship.

The night before Jade starts her junior year, she tries to pick out an outfit. She bought some new clothes with money she earned over the summer tutoring at the rec center and saved what she didn’t use; Mom refused to take it for groceries. Mom comes into Jade’s room and sadly says that she won’t be able to see Jade off in the morning. Jade explains that Mom used to work as a housekeeper at a local hospital, but she was fired when someone reported her for stealing blankets and small bottles of shampoo. Now, Mom takes care of a rich old lady named Ms. Louise. Jade knows what’s coming: the talk about Jade’s lack of friends at school. Mom is concerned that Jade is only friends with Lee Lee.

Jade can’t tell Mom that she and Lee Lee think the same things are funny. Jade can’t share knowing looks with anyone at St. Francis—most things she finds ridiculous are normal there. Once, her humanities teacher asked the class to name “invisible people” in their community. One girl mentioned her housekeeper, and Jade couldn’t believe the girl had one. Even stranger was when everyone else nodded along, including the only other black student in class. Jade goes to school with kids whose mothers hire housekeepers, while Mom is a housekeeper—Lee Lee would get it. Mom, however, says she’d like Jade to make one close friend at school this year and then she reminds Jade that she has an appointment with Mrs. Parker tomorrow. She thinks it must be about the study abroad program.

For the first time ever, Jade is excited to talk to Mrs. Parker, her guidance counselor. The study abroad program is a service learning program in a foreign country and it’s what made Jade agree to go to St. Francis. Jade explains that Mrs. Parker always offers her opportunities, such as essay writing classes, free SAT prep, or speaking engagements downtown. Jade knows that Mrs. Parker is looking out for her, though she sometimes wishes she could turn down the opportunities. But because Jade is black and poor, she has to take every opportunity. Mom leaves Jade’s room and she asks if Jade needs anything at the store. Jade mentions that she put ice cream on the list. Mom laughs that she thought that was E.J., Jade’s 20-year-old uncle and she promises to try if she has enough money.