In Common is the life story of Margaret Jefferson-Butler, an old southern belle born on her families' slave plantation in the deep south of Florida during the 1800's. It is not the typical story of run-away slaves being captured and whipped into obedience. Rather, it is a story of a White woman who befriends a Black woman (Miss. Sister) and the pain they suffer as a result of this friendship.
The journey unfolds as Margaret sits on the porch talking to Someday, the dog. While sipping on a cool glass of lemonade she shares the details of her life and its' deep rooted pain. The story continues with Margaret sharing how their relationship was the only thing that gave Miss. Sister and her strength to endure a life full of grief caused by the evilness of the white man's way of living.
In the end the reader gets to see Margaret up close and hear her pain as she realizes how much the white woman and black woman have IN COMMON; and in the midst of that she gets the revelation that the white man believes that he is their master.