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pressed the key for a receptionist instead.
    A moment later, a pleasant voice sounded. “Downs Textiles, may I help you?” She froze. Was she really going to ask for him?
    “Downs Textiles,” she heard again. “Hello?”
    “Yes, hello!” she blurted out. Her voice was shaking, and so was her body. She pictured all the adrenaline that was surely pouring into her bloodstream. “I’m a writer working on an article for Business Times , and I’d like to talk with Jeff Downs for a story about his company.”
    “You’d like to . . . I’m sorry, who are you?” the receptionist said.
    “I’m Iliana . . . Fisher,” she said, trying to sound professional. Instinctively she used her maiden name, which had always been the name she used at work. “This is the blanket company Downs Textiles, correct? And Jeff Downs is president?”
    “Yes, that’s true, but the sales reps handle most media requests,” the woman said. “What publication did you say you’re writing for?”
    Iliana hesitated. “ Business  . . . Business Times is where I’m targeting—but you see, I generally speak to company presidents—”
    “ Times ? Oh, wait, oh, please. I didn’t realize. Please hold on.”
    Iliana held her breath as she heard the line go silent. What had happened? Was there a problem? What had she said to get the woman so flustered?
    A few seconds later, she returned to the line. “Ms. Fisher, Mr. Downs would love to speak with you,” she said. “He’s very sorry that he’s with a customer right now, but he hopes you might come to the showroom next week. What day would be good?”
    Iliana was sure she had heard wrong. “To come there . . . I mean, there ?”
    “Now let’s see . . . how’s Tuesday . . . I’m checking his calendar . . . ten thirty?”
    “To meet Jeff Downs? Come there? On Tuesday?”
    “Does that work for you?”
    “Yes, sure,” Iliana said. “Sure. That’s fine.”
    “Great, we’ll see you at ten thirty Tuesday.”
    “Yes, great, we’ll see you then,” said Iliana. “I mean, me. Me! I’ll see you then.”

    For the next two hours, Iliana tried to do some online research, hunting down information on blanket constructions and fabrics, and looking for background information on manufacturers that would compete with Downs Textiles. But mostly she wandered aimlessly around the house, unable to take anything but the shallowest of breaths. How was it that Business Times had as much clout today—or maybe even more—as it had back in her day? How was it that Jeff Downs would not simply take a call, but actually invite her in ? She felt a little guilty—after all, she hadn’t made it clear that she didn’t have an actual assignment—but she could fix that later . The thing was, she was going to meet Jeff Downs and write a story about him. She was going to interview Jeff Downs for an article she would get published. What had Jodi said at breakfast? It was so exciting!
    That evening as she was pulling out plates for dinner, she heard Marc’s car pull up. Suddenly the name Jena Connors popped into her head. Shit ,she thought—she had never gotten around to calling that woman, and the last thing she wanted was another fight. Setting the plates on the table, she went to the dining room and found the phone number on the invitation. An answering machine picked up.
    “Mrs. Connors? This is Iliana Passing,” she said in an amiable tone. “Thank you for inviting me to participate in the workshop. I’m delighted to attend, and I look forward to meeting you.”
    She put the phone down and looked toward the kitchen. Marc was watching from the doorway.
    “So you’re going,” he said tentatively, as though he wasn’t completely sure and needed confirmation.
    She folded her arms across her chest. “You heard me.”
    “I think it’s for the best.”
    “You made that point.”
    He sighed and put down his briefcase. “Look, Iliana, I’m sorry about how I came down on you last