Summary

Chapter 1 begins by providing some information about Bindu Desai, who was widowed many years ago. After her husband’s death, she moves to Naples, Florida, with Ashish, her son, and Alisha, his wife. The two get divorced two years before the story’s events, and “Bindu had chosen to go on living with her daughter-in-law” afterwards (2). Apparently, Bindu has been left one million dollars by someone. That morning, she has a fight with Alisha, and she wonders if it is time for her to move out. She accompanies her neighbor and friend, Debbie, to an open house at a retirement community. Initially, she is disturbed by the “contrast” in how people talk to Debbie and herself (4). She goes outside, offended by how little people talk to her compared to Debbie, and a kind man comforts her. She finds herself bewitched by how beautiful...