Hannah folded the letter. Poor child. The dear, poor child. This is like a death for her. She spoke gently. “Our home is your home. This is not the time to make big decisions or changes. We will tell Max about this; we will show him the letter. Then we will sit quietly and talk. We love you. You and Sarah are welcome to share our home, this home, and my home with the ladies, for as long as you wish to be here.” Hannah held Sarina. How small she is, like a bird, but she’s strong of spirit.

“I am so very sorry,” Hannah said. “So very sorry.” Perhaps, if I had been home, I could have stopped the terrible confrontation between Zachary and his father, and this would not have happened. But then Hannah’s anger flared. Better that he’s gone. Sarina should divorce him and make a new life for herself here, with us. “I am so sorry, Sarina” was all she said.

Calmer now, feeling safe in Hannah’s presence, Sarina looked at Hannah. “He was not happy here. Some places are not right for some people. For a long time, I have thought that one day I would wake up and my husband would be gone.” Her eyes were pleading now, pleading for understanding of this man she loved, though he had deserted her. “He is not a strong man, Hannah, not strong like you or Max. He did not have the courage to tell me. And you know, Hannah, he could have. I would have understood. I would have kissed him and sent him on his way, and I would have waited for him to return.

“My grandmother told me once that you cannot hold too tightly to something you love, or you will crush it. I would have let him go. But not like this!” For several moments she could not go on, and Hannah waited. Finally, Sarina said, “Zachary could not live in his father’s shadow. He could not face him or talk to him in a reasonable manner. I am sorry for what has happened. Jose told me. How terrible to speak to one’s father in that way. It is wrong and I am shamed for Zachary.” Tears spilled from her eyes, and she wiped them away with the ball of her hand. “Now, he is gone.” She raised her hands, as if in supplication to an unseen power, and dropped them back into her lap. “Gone. Just gone.” Then she sat straighter. “I will do whatever you want me to do. I will return to India, if you say so.”