Summary

The narrator thinks of her husband, and refrains from saying anything critical about Kamala while they are on the phone. They hang up, and she thinks about Kamala's daughter, Veena. The narrator explains that she had only one child because she experienced menopause a decade early, Kamala's having only one child was a choice. The narrator tries to recall Kamala's house in Georgia from her previous visits, and notes that she remembers the sound of the dishwasher and the dryer.

The narrator attends Mr. Swaminathan's memorial service. There, she speaks briefly with Renuka's daughter, who confirms that they are moving back to Chennai. She also speaks with Renuka, who is solemn and detached. Days later, the narrator has dinner in the cafeteria and is grateful that nobody sits with her. She notices on the Fitbit that Kamala bought for her that she still needs...