Jonathan Parrish has been invited to give a lecture at the National Education Association conference in New Orleans, an honor that as a teacher he can t refuse. When he glances at the attendee list, he finds Lily Mayeux's name. They haven t seen each other in twelve years. When it had ended abruptly with her, he knew he was responsible; he had made a mistake. When Lily hears the message on her hotel room phone inviting her to lunch in New Orleans, she knows she will have a lot to think about if she doesn't face Jonathan, doesn t sit across from him in a matter-of-fact way for a voluntary, controlled, poignant hour. If she actively tries to avoid him, she will feel silly and juvenile and it will ruin these few days away from her husband and son.
