“New York Day Women” is narrated by Suzette, a Haitian American woman living in New York; Suzette’s thoughts are punctuated by those of her mother, which are presented in bold in discrete sections. Suzette’s mother’s words are often a response to Suzette’s thoughts. As the story begins, Suzette is walking through upper Manhattan when she sees her mother strolling down the street. She is surprised to see her mother, who rarely leaves Brooklyn, in such an upscale neighborhood. Suzette’s mother has never seen her Manhattan office and is afraid to take the subway. She often accuses Suzette of random things—such as not giving up her subway seat to older or pregnant women—as she leaves the house. Suzette admits that her mother is right, and that she rarely gives up her seat.

Suzette watches her mother wait for two drivers fighting in the street before crossing. In Haiti, Suzette’s mother explains, car crashes are handled differently. Suzette imagines her mother smiling as she says this, with three missing teeth. Her mother is only 53, but is getting dentures. She watches the lottery every night, although she never plays it. She thinks that if they won even one third of the lottery, Suzette’s father could stop his work as a taxi driver.