Cherese takes the train uptown all the while clutching the thin yellow referral slip in her right fist. She’s to go directly to the Madison Linen and speak to either Liz or Floyd. The dispatcher, the Lady who Sends Her Out, urges Cherese to hurry. It’s Friday, three p.m. and people knock off early on Fridays. The train hurtles through the tunnel and when it emerges it flies past her stop. Cherese realizes with a sense of panic that she forgot to switch from the express to the local at 96^th street. Unsure of who to call, Cherese would love to call her Mother and ask her to recite the story of how she was named Cherese. Beloved of whom she wonders as she senses her future possibilities narrow to a tiny no.