LIKE THE FIRST TIME. Copyright © 2004 by Francis Ray. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Ray, Francis.

   Like the first time / Francis Ray.—1st U.S. ed.

       p. cm.

   ISBN 0-312-32429-4

   EAN 978-0312-32429-2

   1.  African American women—Fiction.   2.  African American businesspeople—Fiction.   3.  African American business enterprises—Fiction.   4.  Downsizing of organizations—Fiction.   5.  Gift basket industry—Fiction.   6.  Female friendship—Fiction.   I.  Title.

PS3568.A9214L55 2004

813'.54—dc22

2003070879

First Edition: May 2004

eISBN 9781466833500

First eBook edition: October 2012