Devi’s words hang in the air. She stares at Bina with an intense focus. Bina can’t help but compare the chemistry she has with Devi, one that almost seems rooted in magic, to what she has with Anita, something that’s made more of circumstance and convenience. Both are valid in their own right. And both bring out different things in her. She wonders what would happen if Anita were to ever move away. Would they be able to pick up right where they left off on yearly visits and weekly phone calls, or would they get absorbed into their new lives?

“I’m telling you this because I love you,” Devi says. “And I don’t want you to do the same thing your mom did to you. I don’t want you to pass down bitterness and guilt and some fixation on how you’re ‘supposed’ to be.”

Bina feels the sting of sadness. Devi is totally right. She has internalized her own mother’s disapproval and unforgiving standards. And she’s given them to her kids in different ways.

“This group you’re hosting is about being honest and vulnerable, right?” Devi asks. “What about putting that into practice with Natasha? Telling her about what happened in India?”

“What? I can’t do that! It’s not relevant to my, our, life at all anymore. . . .” Bina’s voice becomes soft. “And I don’t even know how she’d handle it.”

Bina drifts back to when she emptied the bottle of pills into the toilet. She cried with relief as the tornado of water swirled and swallowed them all. She was going to be okay. She could put this part of her life behind her and never deal with it again.

“At least think about it. And in the meantime, maybe you can take up my offer to send her here. She’ll love it.” Devi points her phone toward the beach. Waves tumble onto the shoreline. A group of teenagers are playing volleyball.

“Maybe I need to send myself there.” Bina laughs.

“Come with her. But I’m telling you, this internship is a real opportunity,” Devi says, referring to a position that opened up on one of the late-night shows.

“But it barely pays!”

Devi scoffs. “It’s not about the money at first in these industries, Bina. This is a chance for Natasha to learn and really get to know people in her field. At least tell her when you go see her.”

Bina nods, even though she’s unsure how she feels about letting Natasha move across the country to pursue a career that’s so risky, so full of rejection.

“I guess we should start this meeting.” Bina picks up her phone. “I’m sure everyone’s already had a chance to get their food and mingle a little.”