“Bina, I want to go back to the point you made earlier about proving something to everyone.” Dr. Eze clasps her hands on her knees. “You had to prove yourself to your parents and that makes a lot of sense. Families often have patterns, especially when it comes to communication. The way our parents spoke to us influences how we speak to our own children.”

“I never really thought of that until now, but I do see it.” Mom’s voice wavers. She squeezes her eyes shut, as though she’s staring directly into the sun. “My mom and I argued a lot. She always thought I was a difficult child. And she warned me that I’d understand one day when I had kids. She was so right.”

Mom faces Dad, who is already staring at her, on the brink of tears. Natasha didn’t realize until now how fortunate she is to have a father who so freely embraces his emotions, even if that wasn’t what he was brought up to do.

Mom sighs. “And then after I met Deepak, I was this rising actress, choosing a man for love. I was so determined to live differently than she did, with her concerns about money and appearances and status. But I ended up being more like her than ever. I’m sorry, Natasha, for passing that to you.”

“It’s okay, Mommy.”

Mommy. Natasha’s voice breaks as the word escapes her mouth. A fat tear dribbles down her cheek. Mom gets up and walks to her.

A ripple of sadness passes through Natasha as she presses her face against Mom’s soft shoulder.

Usually, Natasha has fixed images of Mom that come to mind whenever she thinks of her. Mom, adding cumin to a pan of simmering vegetables. Mom, sitting at the edge of Natasha’s bed, her voice strained as she tells Natasha to not make the same mistakes she did. Mom, yelling when she found out Natasha was drinking alcohol in high school. Mom, demanding Natasha think of how bad she will look as a mother if she doesn’t straighten up.

And then there are others. Mom, telling Anita Auntie on the phone that Natasha is vibrant and funny, the light of their family. Mom, stretching out on the recliner next to Natasha, watching a comedy special with her, and really understanding the talent and work it took for the comedian to create that. Mom, a tight smile on her face that doesn’t quite reach her eyes as she serves chai and snacks to guests who don’t bother to ask her how she’s doing, who she hopes to become.