The narrative begins with a portrayal of "St. Bonny’s," or St. Bonaventure, the shelter where Twyla, the narrator, encounters Roberta, the story’s other central character, when they are both eight years old. Twyla recalls her mother once saying that people of Roberta’s race have an odd smell, and she initially resists sharing a room with Roberta because she believes her mother would disapprove. However, Twyla soon discovers that Roberta is empathetic and understanding of her circumstances. Unlike most children at the shelter who are orphans, Twyla is there because her mother "dances all night," and Roberta is there because her mother is ill. Isolated from the other children at St. Bonny’s and intimidated by the older girls, Twyla and Roberta bond and stick together.

Twyla has a vivid memory of St. Bonny’s orchard, though she isn’t sure why it stands out. She recalls an incident where Maggie, a mute woman working in the shelter’s kitchen, fell in the orchard and was mocked by the older girls. Twyla admits that she and Roberta did nothing to assist Maggie and even called her names, which Maggie ignored, possibly because she was deaf, though Twyla doubts this. Reflecting on this, Twyla feels ashamed.

One Sunday, Twyla and Roberta’s mothers visit. The girls are thrilled and dress up for the church service. Twyla feels a mix of embarrassment and pride over her mother Mary’s casual yet attractive appearance. When Roberta tries to introduce her mother to Twyla and Mary, Roberta’s mother refuses to acknowledge them or shake Mary’s hand, likely due to racial prejudice. Mary exclaims, "That bitch!" right in the chapel, further embarrassing Twyla by groaning during the service. Roberta’s mother, in contrast, wears a large cross and carries an enormous Bible. After the service, Mary and Twyla eat Easter candy because Mary didn’t bring lunch, while Roberta can’t finish the food her mother provided. Shortly after this visit, Roberta leaves St. Bonny’s.

Twyla doesn’t reconnect with Roberta for many years. Now working as a waitress, Twyla encounters Roberta again when she comes into the Howard Johnson’s where Twyla is employed. Roberta is with two men and mentions they are heading to a Jimi Hendrix concert, but Twyla doesn’t know who Hendrix is. Roberta dismissively calls Twyla an asshole. Twyla retorts by asking about Roberta’s mother and spitefully remarks that her own mother is still "pretty as a picture."

Twyla’s narration resumes when she is 28, married, and describes her home, husband, and family life. The rundown town of Newburgh, where they reside, has recently undergone gentrification, and a new mall has opened on the outskirts. One day, Twyla visits a gourmet supermarket there and unexpectedly encounters Roberta, now married to a wealthy executive, for the first time since their tense meeting at Howard Johnson’s. Roberta greets Twyla warmly and invites her for coffee. They laugh, and the tension between them appears to dissipate. As they reminisce, the incident with Maggie is brought up. Roberta asserts that Maggie didn’t fall in the orchard but was knocked down by the big girls. This contradicts Twyla’s memory, making her uncomfortable. Twyla asks Roberta about their encounter at Howard Johnson’s, and Roberta replies, "Oh, Twyla, you know how it was in those days: black-white." They part ways, promising to stay in touch.

That fall, racial tension grips Newburgh due to the implementation of busing to ensure school integration. Twyla’s son, Joseph, is one of the children who must take a bus to a school in a different area. While driving near Joseph’s new school, Twyla sees Roberta picketing against busing. Twyla stops, and they discuss the...