She did not know my father or my family history, and I found that deeply relaxing.

One morning Priya invited us to the park.

I arrived with a blanket, a bottle, and a bag containing far more diapers than any outing could require.

She looked at the pile and laughed.

I laughed too.

Nothing dramatic happened.

Our children slept while we drank lukewarm coffee and complained about the weather.

For years I had thought a good life would begin after a grand confrontation in which everybody who had hurt me finally admitted it.