Summary

The first section, Prologue, takes place in Paris, France ten years ago at a flea market as Bea searches for things for her family and herself. It is revealed that Bea is a larger woman and feels that she is drawing attention in Paris because of her size. She is enamored by the flea market and spends the entire day there until she finds a stall filled with beautiful capes. She assumes there will not be one in her size, but the shopkeeper Jeanne asks what woman’s style she most admires. Bea thinks about all the black and white movies she has watched and chooses Barbara Stanwyck. Jeanne returns with a dark green, velvet cape and Bea is stunned at how beautiful she looks. Jeanne says the price but tells Bea she will give it to her if she promises to...