“He grew a little less patient here,” Priam continued. “He had a lot on his shoulders, after all.”

“That’s not an excuse, of course,” Vicki piped up. “I know he could be harsh, and we didn’t like it.” She reached across the table and placed her hand over mine. I let her. “We should have said something, Daya. He was too hard on you, and we should have stepped in.”

“He just wanted me to be strong,” I said, more to myself.

“Sweetheart, there are so many ways to be strong.”

“Yes,” Priam agreed. “Nihal was strong in his own way. He never let up, kept working and working to keep us all safe and sound. But it was your mom who was the really strong one.”

Okay, now I know you’re full of it. “Amma was caring, but not strong. She always gave in to him.”

“Do you know who got Nihal his first job here?” Priam asked.

“And who stage-managed our first play?” Vicki’s pointer finger shot up beside her face. “Or got your dad to let you try softball?”

“Or who told your dad off when he made fun of me?”

“Wait—she never told Dad off. She’d just keep quiet,” I argued.

“She’d never tell your dad off in front of you, my dear!” Priam practically shouted in triumph. “She could give him a better telling-off than even our mother used to give him!” In his excitement to tell me all these things, Priam had expanded in his chair.

“Well, she never defended me.” My voice came out small. Priam’s body sank slowly backward.

Vicki squeezed my hand. “She did, Daya. At least, she tried. But you and your dad were thick as thieves. It was hard to break into that bond you seemed to have.”

I knew it was true as soon as she said it. I didn’t argue. But it just made me feel worse.

“But she adored you, Daya. And she was so proud of you,” Vicki added, probably just to make me feel better. All this information was surprising and mind-blowing, but it didn’t change the fact that I’d caused the accident.

“I lost that boxing match.”

“Which match?” Priam asked.

“The one we were coming home from. I’d fucked”—Vicki’s cheeks instantly blushed—“I’d messed up the match. Amma had come to watch, and it flustered me to have her there. I was distracted and didn’t box the way Thatha taught me to. He was so mad at me. And at her.” I let my hand slip from Vicki’s and sat back in my chair. “That’s why they were fighting.”

“Oh, Daya.” Vicki held her face with both hands.