Sanne was Lex’s younger sister. His mother was forty-six when she was born; Lex had been twenty-four and his twin brothers four years younger. Nobody had been expecting any further additions to the family, and the surprise had been greatest of all for Lex’s parents. Lex had once brought his sister along on a staff outing: a sullen goth in pale makeup who was difficult to relate to and hardly resembled her older brother. She had already run away from home a few times.

Lex told her that Sanne had discovered an interest in Japanese art and music. In the hope of getting closer to their daughter and her world, his parents had booked a trip to Japan for the three of them next spring. “I just hope for my parents’ sake that she’s still interested in it by then,” said Lex.

“I hope so too.”

There was a brief silence.

“Helen, I’ve known you for a while now, and—”

“There’s really nothing the matter.” She tried to give her voice a note of authority. “Please believe me. You guys are all worrying about nothing.”

“Er—‘you guys’? Just to be clear, I’m the one who’s worried.” His voice took on a mild, confidential tone. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Helen swallowed. She had always confided in him, over all kinds of private matters. The only thing she didn’t discuss with him was her marriage with Werner. That was off-limits. Over time, she had come to value Lex’s opinions over those of her friends, and sometimes his judgment even carried more weight than Werner’s. Maybe that was because Lex truly listened to her and took a genuine interest. He loved people, whereas Werner tended to use people for his own ends. Werner was the ultimate manager, a leader who moved purposefully toward his goals. Even in love and parenting. It was a characteristic of his that she used to find exciting. Opposites attract.

“Mom?” Emma stood in the doorway. “Are you coming to help me again?”

“Of course, honey,” she said. “Uh—”

“I heard,” he said. “Sorry for bothering you.”

“You never bother me,” she answered impulsively. “Thanks, Lex.”

She hung up.

10

10

“Thanks for dinner. It was tasty.”

“I’ll pass on your compliments to Colonel Sanders.”

Naomi smiled. “You really never eat at home, do you?”

“Sure I do. I go there for seconds.”

She laughed out loud.

At her request, Ralf dropped her off at the corner of her block. “Otherwise, my brothers will give me another grilling.”

As they said goodbye, she unexpectedly put a hand on his leg. Ralf covered it with his own as nonchalantly as possible.

“Someone I know is having a movie night on Saturday,” she said. “I don’t know whether Brian will be back by then or not, but either way—do you want to come with me?”

Ralf didn’t respond right away.