Summary

Continuing in the present. Daniel shares his life story with Maya in return: born to a mixed race couple, Daniel was adopted as a baby by titled Englishman and famed psychiatrist Robert Goodrich, and a concert violinist named Alice Wilkins. The couple adopted because they were unable to conceive, but were surprised when Daniel’s sister Frances was born four years later. Daniel has always been close to her. Eventually Robert moved out to live with Alice’s fellow concert musician, a pianist named Alfons Zaleski. Robert’s sexuality was never discussed among the family, but Daniel and Frances grew up in two loving homes, and their parents never technically divorced, amicably sharing custody of the children. Despite the unconventionality of their childhood, Daniel always felt loved by all his parent figures.

Alfons Zaleski in particular loved and shaped Daniel and Frances. After...