Amala loved to read her letters aloud to Paulina, as much as Paulina loved to hear them, and they would talk about her family and their personalities and strengths and weaknesses in a way that Amala believed was aiding her education in understanding the behavior of people in a broader and deeper perspective. From a distance she could see more clearly both the strengths and weaknesses of those she loved. It all combined to make her love them more, but it also helped her learn to love herself as well, given that she could see her own strengths and weaknesses. Paulina truly had an extra sense about people and life, and Amala thanked God every day for putting this remarkable woman there for her at this time. While Kat was coming out socially and entertaining many different men with the hope of finding a suitable husband, Amala realized she was having her own version of coming out. She was becoming more comfortable with her acceptance that marriage was not a viable option for her, because she was learning that she could have a fulfilling life and be completely happy with or without a husband and children—all depending on how she chose to view herself and the life she lived. The lessons Paulina taught were invaluable.

Amala was surprised to receive a letter from Henry. Since Paulina knew every tiny detail of Amala’s relationship with Henry and her complicated feelings for him, Amala read that letter to Paulina as well. It was written in a polite and gentlemanly manner—as she would have expected—but he didn’t write as if he were pretending that no relationship had ever existed between them. He wrote to tell her that it had been a struggle to try to move beyond what they had shared, but he was doing a little better and he hoped that she was too. He wrote of his commitment to trying to do as she had asked of him and seek out the possibility of opening his heart to another woman, although he admitted it wasn’t easy. He expressed his hope that she was finding peace for herself and that her life would be good in every respect.

Amala was glad to hear that he was regularly spending time with her family—even though she already knew that from their letters. But it was nice to hear funny and tender moments about her family from Henry’s perspective. He mentioned that he had accompanied Kat to a couple of social events, given that they were good friends and comfortable with each other and that it was a way for them to get out and be sociable and not feel too alone or conspicuous.

“Good heavens,” Amala said to Paulina after she’d read aloud that part of the letter, “you don’t think that . . . he and Kat could ever . . .” She couldn’t put it into words.

“I don’t know,” Paulina said. “What do you think?”