It was yet another pet lecture: Men don’t have to choose between family and achievement, so why should women? Every time we talk about women having it all, we focus the conversation on whether or not women should choose one over the other, which reinforces the problem it’s trying to solve.

“You’re the one who doesn’t understand,” China said, suddenly dead serious. “When the head honchos called me into a meeting this morning, giving me a bonus and you a raise wasn’t the only thing they wanted to talk about. I was the one who brought you in last minute; they know we know each other. I promised them you weren’t going anywhere. I know I’ve been saying this, but I’m not kidding around. If you leave the show, I will lose my job.”

ASHNA IS HOLDING Trisha’s hand. Her terrified grip is too tight.

Trisha tugs Ashna closer to the cliff that drops straight and sharp into the ocean. The idea of throwing herself off it makes Ashna’s stomach bounce up to her chest.

Nisha sits cross-legged on the blanket, playing Three Two Five with Mina Kaki and Mamma. Nisha is uninterested in getting her new swimsuit wet; it’s a pretty purple with yellow swirls. Trisha and Ashna wear sporty navy Speedos.

Every one of Mina Kaki’s features is strained with worry. “Girls, you don’t have to do it,” she calls. “Come back here and we’ll play Bluff instead.” Mina Kaki uses her high-pitched protective voice.

Next to her, Mamma widens her eyes in reproach. “Stop transferring your phobias to the children, Mina.”

“You let Vansh and Yash do it,” Trisha says in her defiant voice as she tugs harder at Ashna’s hand. “Let’s go before she stops us from doing this too,” she whispers to Ashna.

“I don’t want to.”

Shobi stands and Ashna’s heart sinks at the determined look on her face. “Go, girls. Do it. There’s nothing to fear but fear itself.”

Trisha squeals. “I love you, Shobi Kaki!”

Shobi grins. “I love you back, Shasha bear. You’re my brave tigress!”

Mina stands. “Come over here, Ashi. You don’t have to jump if you’re scared.”

“Why would she not want to?” Mamma says, a frown twisting her mouth. “You want to, right, Ashna?”

Ashna freezes. She can’t answer her mother, but she tugs her shaking hand out of Trisha’s.

Trisha runs screaming to the edge by herself ready to throw herself off . . .

ASHNA SPRANG AWAKE on the couch, her heart skittering in her chest. Her phone was vibrating in her hand. She touched her jeans. No swimsuit, thank God. The pitch darkness of the living room made the flashing of her cell phone dance like a strobe light against her black T-shirt.

“Shut up!” she hissed at it before hitting talk and pressing the blameless thing to her ear.

“Hello, beta.”