Uzoamaka's mother loves reading American magazines. She admires the women in Cosmopolitan _and _Elle, but most of all, she loves admiring their light skin. She buys skin lightening creams from the U.S., and she insists Uzoamaka uses them too.

There are two house girls in Uzoamaka's house. Both Eno and Ekaite cook, clean, and serve Uzoamaka's family. Uzoamaka's mother thinks Eno is superior to Ekaite. She's prettier than Ekaite, she's more beautiful. She also has much lighter skin than Eno.

After dinner one night, Uzoamaka, Eno, and Ekaite meet in the bathroom. They have prepared a bathtub filled with bleach and water. Uzoamaka insists that Eno should go first. Eno places her face into the tub. Uzoamaka tells Eno to keep her face in the water until she feels a tingle. After a few minutes, they don't notice too much of a difference. Uzoamaka decides to empty the bathtub and instead pour bleach directly into a bowl. Eno places her face in the bleach and screams. She screams and screams.

Uzoamaka's father storms in, asking for an explanation. Uzoamaka turns to her mother, who stares back with confusion. A few days later when scabs have formed on Eno's face, Uzoamaka is envious, because under the scabs, Eno's skin is lighter.