True Colors: A Novel

Content Warning: This section contains mentions and instances of addiction, racism, abuse, and sexual violence.

Fifteen-year-old Winona Grey consoles her sisters, 14-year-old Aurora and 12-year-old Vivi Ann, as they mourn their mother’s death from cancer. As Winona eats ice cream, she and her sisters watch their father, Henry Grey, take their mother’s horse, Clementine, out to sell. The distraught sisters run out to stop him. Henry scoffs at Winona’s promise that she will try harder to ride Clem, especially when Clem shies away from Winona. However, Henry hands the reins over to Vivi Ann, who calms Clem down; Henry claims her mother would be proud. Years later, Winona would recognize this moment as the one that birthed her jealousy of her sister.

Vivi Ann wakes up and tends to the horses on the waterfront ranch, Water’s Edge, that her family has occupied for four generations since her great-grandfather homesteaded the place and founded the town of Oyster Shores. Vivi Ann then serves breakfast to Henry, who has grown quieter and harsher over the years. Henry begrudgingly reveals the ranch is in financial trouble, and Vivi Ann promises to win some money at the rodeo this week.