21 Steps To Happiness. F. G. Gerson

at all the way I pictured it, not even in my worst nightmare.

      I pick up the flight coupon. I see Roxanne Green’s bible: 20 Steps to Success.

      I open the book. Roxanne wrote a phone number on the first page. “You can phone me in case of emergency,” she said.

      I dial and I recognize Roxanne’s voice.

      “Who’s that?”

      “It’s…Lynn. You know? We met on the plane.”

      “Mmm?”

      “Jodie Blanchett’s daughter.”

      “Yes, I know. Listen, I’m in the middle of something, darling.”

      “It’s an emergency, like you said.”

      “Did they fire you already?”

      “No, it’s much worse than that.”

      I am about to cry. I don’t want to cry. That would only annoy her more and she would hang up.

      “Are you crying?” she asks.

      No wonder her books are such hits. She reads people’s minds.

      “Listen to me, darling. Remember what I told you? Step #6.”

      I remember how good and easy it felt in the plane, listening to Roxanne going through the different steps. And how miserable I feel now. I start to cry. I can’t help it. Please don’t hang up. Please!

      “Can you read step #6 for me?”

      “Yes,” I sob. I turn the pages to the sixth chapter. “Step #6. Sometimes it’s hard to be successful.”