And when it was over, you did what Compton did and looted your mutual funds to replace the income of your lost spouse. Or at least that’s what you did if you were medium rich and you’d lost your husband. You paid some other person to care for your children and clean your home so you could go to your job. And you tried to tell yourself you would keep doing your job, because your investments were dwindling and your children needed a provider and it was weak to think of quitting just because you sweated and hyperventilated every time you went to work.

The children slept, having been put to bed hours ago by Mildred. A heavy dread settled over Compton; this time of evening sucked beyond all measure. Earlier, she’d tried to call Kira but hadn’t been able to reach her. How many years had it been since Kira’s husband had died? Six? Seven? Now, looking back, a deep sense of shame assailed Compton that she’d been so ignorant of what Kira must have gone through, especially that first year after Daniel’s death when she’d endured a pregnancy, a transcontinental move, a grueling fellowship, and the birth of her son. At least Vani had been there for her.

Compton had always seen herself as the odd man out. Perhaps she alienated other people in some way of which she herself was not quite aware. Within their complicated seven-way friendship, certain factions and allies had developed, which Compton supposed was normal. Zadie and Emma had always been insular within the group, even moving to the same city after residency. Vani and Kira, who’d been united during school, had stayed in close touch, always seeming to herald the big events in each other’s lives, both good and bad, with unconditional support. Georgia, the dissident of the group, had never seemed to need or desire a female confidant, but she nonetheless moved comfortably within the friendship, darting in and out of their endeavors at the behest of whatever mysterious whims activated her. Plus, she had Jonah, and it was a good thing she did, because Compton found herself at a loss to envision how Georgia was dealing with the onset of motherhood without Mark, her partner. You couldn’t reach out to Georgia, though, even if you were trying to help; you had to wait for her to reach out to you.

Finally, Hannah. While not aligned with any one person more than any other, Hannah served as the glue bonding all of them. Everyone loved her.