Summary

In “Airborne: A Symposium,” Myrna attends her discussion group “at Chrissy’s house” (153). She studies herself in the hall mirror, bothered by Chrissy’s decor and her bad dye job. At her age, “It’s far too late for vanity” (154). In Chrissy’s living room, Myrna observes “the rejected cover design of Chrissy’s one and only successful book, Airborne: Women Aloft,” framed on the wall (154). She remembers the contents of and responses to the book, particularly their friend Leonie’s remarks. She had also “published a book” and “received nasty letters” in response (155, 156). Myrna comforted Leonie, “who’d been upset” (157). Leonie was mostly confused why people were irate that she had written about history.

Leonie is sitting outside drinking. She has cancer and is not “wearing a wig” (158). The last time the women met was...