Vivian Forest

Vivian Forest is one of the central characters. She is the mother of Maddie Forest. Vivian is a fifty-four-year-old black woman who is a social worker in a hospital. Because she has always been so responsible and mature all of her life, both she and the reader are surprised when she begins a flirtation with an Englishman named Malcolm during her trip to London.

Vivian faces a major decision as she is enjoying herself in London. Her boss at the hospital where she works is retiring and wants Vivian to take his position as director. Vivian believes she should take the promotion simply because she is a black woman. She wants to empower and act as a role model for other women who believe leadership positions are out of their reach. At the same time, Vivian dreads all of the meetings that she will have to attend...