see the truth. But my protests made no difference. Even if what I said was true, many people had already seen the site. Darshan had been told about it by someone at his firm and asked how he could marry such a woman. Darshan’s father had been shown the site by another man in his office. How these men were alerted was another question no one could answer. But again, what did it matter? The Tambes could not be linked to me, even if, by some mere chance, there was merit in what I said.”
“And Darshan went along with this?” Tracy asked.
“I had no time alone with him, then or later. He e-mailed me to say how sorry he was that things turned out as they had. But none of my return e-mails were ever answered.”
“Not worth a lot, was he?” Wisely, Wanda handed Janya a napkin.
Janya wiped her eyes, which were sparkling with tears. “Padmini was so offended by my accusations she refused to speak to me again. I was alone, under suspicion by my own family, no longer betrothed, and shamed and deserted by the woman who was supposed to love me like a sister.”
“Where’s a hit man when you need one?” Tracy asked. “I could e-mail CJ in the pen. He has all kinds of new contacts now.”
“I’m sorry.” Janya wiped her eyes. “What must you think of me?”
“Ummm…that you got screwed? That you’re absolutely normal?” Tracy handed her another napkin. “Did I mention you got screwed?”
“So that was it? You never saw this bozo again?” Wanda asked.
Janya shook her head. “Can you imagine my life at home after that? Much of the money my parents had saved had already been spent on a wedding that would never happen. My reputation was in shreds. My parents refused to let me return to school, because they said my presence on the same campus would humiliate Darshan.”
“They worried…about him?” Alice appeared trans-fixed, as if she couldn’t imagine any of this being real.
“They do to this day.”
“I just don’t understand.” Alice shook her head.
“Soon afterward, Rishi came to India with his aunt and uncle to find a bride. My parents were contacted by his family in India. We were introduced, and Rishi wanted me, despite the things others said. My parents wanted me gone, so my presence would not taint my brother’s opportunities to find a good match. I wanted to leave my humiliation behind. Our wedding was arranged quickly. We came to Florida, and here I am.” She balled the napkin in her slender hand. “So do I know if Rishi is handsome or charming or someone I want to be married to? How can I possibly? Rishi was a solution.”
“Padmini?” Tracy asked.
“She will marry Darshan in September. My parents will attend and take valuable gifts.”
The women sat in silence, as if too stunned to know what to say. Finally Tracy spoke for all of them.
“Surely you see how much better off you are without this Darshan person? I bet he wasn’t even the one who let you know about his wedding to your cousin.”
“I don’t know.”
“Either he did or he didn’t.”
“In the past weeks I have had—” Janya raised her fingers, as if she was counting on them “—four e-mails from Darshan. I didn’t open any of them.”
Tracy didn’t know what to say, but Wanda had no such problem.
“You listen to your big sister Wanda. Don’t open those e-mails. You let that man stay a piece of your past, Janya. Whatever he has to say, it can’t help. If he tries to tell you he’s sorry, that will be all about him having a clear conscience. I know what I’m talking about here. Just don’t let him back into your life or your heart, or your head.”
Janya sighed. “There’s been no one to tell this to. No one except Yash, my brother, who never believed I was at fault.”
“Somehow, then…your parents raised good children, even if they are not such…good parents,” Alice said.
“It’s good to be here. It’s good not to be judged. To be believed.” Janya managed a smile. “Thank you.”
“It would be so appropriate right now to have a big California group hug,” Tracy said. “But let’s not.”
“Right,” Wanda said. “Let’s eat pie.” She pulled a little cooler to her side and opened it. “Peach pie, graham cracker crust, and not one thing in it one of them heathen Hindu types would turn up her nose at. Right, Janya?”
This time Janya’s smile almost looked real. She