Summary

In Irene: Iowa City, on the first day of the new year, Irene spent her day attempting to be productive. Among the things she did include responding to her boss from the magazine at which she worked as the editor in chief. She had been given what the boss called a promotion but in reality, her hours and pay were being cut. She had tried calling Russ, her husband, but had gotten only voicemail. He had sent her a bouquet of white calla lilies earlier that day.

On New Year’s night, Irene goes to the Pullman Bar & Diner for her annual dinner with her best friend Lydia Christensen. Lydia laments during the dinner that in their fifties, women become invisible. Irene wonders if Lydia is right and considers perhaps she is based on her recent promotion. Lydia believes that finding a new...