Chapter One

Achilles Was Lucky



We've both known Sara for almost twenty years. Her creative ability and her strength as a manager have landed her a job as editor in chief of a top women's magazine, but back in the days when she was just starting out, Sara was a features editor at a small magazine. That's how Alexandra, who was working as a freelance writer, met her. She got a call from Sara, inviting her to lunch.

"I've got an assignment for you," Sara told her. "It's a little different from what you usually write."

"You've got my attention."

"Do you remember the Iliad?"

"I read it in college. I loved it."

"Do you recall Achilles' one weakness?"

"What is this? A quiz show?"

"Go along with me on this."

"Okay, teacher. It was his heel."

"You get an A. Now, Alexandra, do you think most people have a weakness? No, let's call it a flaw."

"That's easy. Of course they do."

"What would you say yours is?"

"That's easy, too. I'm terrible about returning phone calls. Except when it's to an editor, of course."

Sara looked approving, as though Alexandra had earned herself another A.

"You've just proved my theory, and I think it will make a great piece. Here's my idea. I've always believed that everyone has more than one flaw. We usually pick one that's fairly mild, acknowledge it, and ignore the others. Lucky Achilles. Can you imagine how nice it would be to have only one weakness? Take me, for example. Except for work, I'm always late. I know it. I admit it to friend