Southwest Atlanta, 1980's

The large majority of the novel takes place in Southwest Atlanta in the 1980's, when Dana and Chaurisse are in high school. The two sisters have gone to different schools their entire lives, which is specifically arranged by James and Gwendolyn. However, it is repeatedly mentioned that Atlanta, despite being known as a major city, in fact functions as a small town. This ends up proving true, as Dana and Chaurisse end up repeatedly bumping into one another, first at a science fair in junior high, second as high school seniors at the mall, and again outside a huge birthday party at the skyscraper Hilton hotel.

Ackland, Georgia

Ackland, Georgia is the small, rural town where James, Raleigh, and Laverne all grew up. James was raised by his mother, Miss Bunny, who eventually took in Raleigh as an adopted son. When James gets Laverne pregnant at...