She’s transcribing years’ worth of old audio recordings from my research, Howard said, looking over at her with a somewhat apologetic smile. It’s hundreds of hours.

I’ve started hearing his voice in my sleep now, Nora said wearily, to which we laughed.

So wait, all of you—? Seema turned to Leslie—And you already knew Howard and Jo?

Jo’s my yoga teacher, Leslie confirmed.

Huh. Seema nodded, furrowing her brow as she traced the lines of connection in her mind.

Jo said she taught clients out of her home studio, in the basement; usually in one-to-one sessions, tailored for each client’s specific needs and capacities. She was also trained in body and energy work. She said she tried to offer clients holistic, multi-pronged approaches to their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

I’ve been doing yoga for a couple of years, Emily said. It helps my arthritis.

Or causes it, Tom added, chuckling. If you’re making yourself into a human pretzel.

Leslie told Emily that she should really consider doing sessions with Jo. She’s amazing, so patient, really lets me go at my own pace.

Maybe I should. Emily looked at Jo. Are you expensive?

Yes, replied Leslie, which got a few laughs. But the core strength is worth it. You should show them your peacock, she said to Jo.

Jo laughed, and waved Leslie off—Not right now.

Tom leaned in—Her what?

Why not? Seema asked.

Yes! Leslie cajoled. The rest of the circle joined in, encouraging Jo, and telling her how much they wanted to see ‘her peacock,’ which I gathered was a yoga pose.

Are you serious? Jo asked.

It’s incredibly impressive, Howard said.

C’mon! Leslie pushed.

Jo raised her arms in surrender. She cleared the water pitcher and glasses off the coffee table, placed both of her palms down in the middle, and proceeded to balance the rest of her body in a perfect plank. The group cheered and laughed. It was a truly impressive sight, though I was a little worried about the coffee table flipping or giving way. It must have been well-built. I don’t think mine would have held up quite so well. The thought of me planking on my own coffee table caused me to snort a laugh, which I turned into a cheer, as I clapped encouragingly for Jo. She was really holding the pose.

Incredible, Emily said, shaking her head.

Wouldn’t want to mess with her, right? Leslie said.

Jo then evolved the pose into an even more precarious and impressive hold, bringing both of her legs forward and out beyond her, such that her bum was now resting on the backs of her arms. This really sent the group into spasms of delight. People were whooping and clapping, even Tom. Half of the circle was standing. Damian sat back in his chair, hands in his pockets, but smiling. Jo then dismounted from the table and did a little bow. The whole episode was a glorious and slightly surreal release of tension. I can’t quite explain how, but it felt like we were collectively forgiving Tom for his antagonism earlier, and his eager laugh seemed to suggest he picked up on this. I then wondered for a moment whether Jo, while seeming reluctant to do so, had actually somehow engineered the moment with exactly that emotional reset in mind. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed likely that she was operating on an intuitive plane beyond any I could aspire to.