A Midsummer Night's Scream

she lost the shopping list.
    Now the big question was who to tell first.
    Shelley? Shelley would be the most thrilled. But maybe she should tell Mel first. Or her kids. But none of them were home. Finally she decided the first call should be to Felicity Roane. Felicity had given Jane her card with her real name and home and cell phone numbers written on the back. Jane had that in her address book as well. Felicity might be hard to run down.
    Fortunately, Felicity was at home. Jane introduced herself and Felicity said, “You’ve sold your book, I’ll bet.“
    “I have. Melody Johnson wants to buy it. She also wants to deal with the contract through an agent.“
    “Of course she would. It’s best for her, and also for you, to do it that way.“
    “She told me she had three suggestions. I told her I wanted your suggestions as well before we decided.“
    “Did she agree?“ Felicity asked.
    “She did.“
    “Okay, do you have paper and a pen handy?“
    “Yes, go ahead.“
    Felicity listed three good mystery agents who were heads of their own agencies. One was her own. Then she went on to list five agents Jane should not, under any circumstances, contact.
    Jane thanked her effusively and said she’d let her know which one she picked to be her agent—if any of them wanted her.
    She called Melody Johnson back. “I’ve talked to Felicity already. These are the names she gave me.“ She read them out.
    Melody laughed. “Exactly my list. I’ll try Felicity’s agent first since Felicity is so happy with her. Thanks for being so prompt. If you want to look the agent up, her name is Annie Silverstone, and you can go to her website.“ She spelled out the letters slowly so Jane could write it down exactly.
    The next call was to Shelley. “Guess what?“
    “You sold your book! I could tell from the way you screamed the words.“
    “I have,“ Jane said in a slightly calmer voice, then told Shelley about Melody Johnson wanting Jane to work with an agent on the contract terms. She added that she’d called Felicity and that Felicity had suggested the same names Melody did.
    “I’m hanging up to come over and hug you to death,“ Shelley said. And she very nearly did.
    “I still have to tell Mel.“
    “And your kids.“
    “None of them are home right now. Shelley, I know this is sort of stupid, but I don’t want anyone else besides Mel and the kids to know about this.“
    “Why?“
    “I’ll tell the earth when it’s actually a book. Not a manuscript. I’m afraid of jinxing it by blabbing too soon.“
    “Jane, how can you swear me to secrecy about something this important? I want to brag on my best friend. I’m so proud of you!“
    “Then you can tell your family, but no one else, okay?“
    “Everyone in my family and Paul’s? That’s quite a few people.“
    “Most of whom won’t be the least interested,“ Jane said with a smile.
    “What about the needlepoint group?“ Shelley was like a dog with an especially tasty bone.
    “Only Tazz and Ms. Bunting, please. And we’ll tell them at the theater.“
    “All right. I’ll go home so you can tell Mel privately,“ Shelley said.
    Mel, still deep in paperwork, answered his office phone briskly. “What’s up, Janey? I’m really busy.“
    “Not too busy for good news?“
    “I guess not,“ he said, still rustling through papers.
    “I’ve sold my book. Well, sort of sold it. I need an agent to negotiate the contract.“
    She heard the thud of a big pile of paper. “Way to go! That’s wonderful. I’ve always known you’d do it.“
    “If you knew that, I sure didn’t.“
    “I’m working right now. But I’m leaving early. Dig up your fanciest clothes and we’ll have that fabulous, expensive dinner tonight.“
    “I can’t do it early. I need to tell the kids when they all come home. And then I have to be at the theater, tasting things.“
    “The later the better,“ Mel said. “More romantic. I’ll pick you up at eight-thirty, if that’s okay?“

Sixteen

    The kids were genuinely thrilled that their mother had actually sold a real book to a real publisher. They all hugged her. Katie was even a little tearful. “I can’t wait to tell all my friends.“
    “Oh, please don’t tell them yet,“ Jane said. “I don’t even know enough about what happens next. Wait until there’s a real book with a cover to show them.“
    “When will that be?“
    Jane admitted she had no idea. That wasn’t even something she’d considered. And it