Summary

In "Richard," it was January 2010 at the Hotel de la Montagne Noire in Port-au-Prince. Richard was back in Haiti for the first time in years. News of his daughter Anne's mother's death had inspired the trip. As a rich water-bottling executive, Richard traveled often, yet had not returned to his home country for a long time. He had met his wife Patricia "a little over ten years ago" (59). After getting married, Richard noticed "that she didn't drink enough water" (59). He should have taken this as a sign that their marriage would not last.

Though Richard had said he would attend Anne's mother's funeral, he had no intention of going. He was busy with work and distracted by Patricia's recent decision to leave him. He had connections with Haitian executives who devoured his business propositions. The deal felt more important than the funeral.

He...