that Herb did, too. But Herb had Clyde’s papers. So they must have been friends, and when Clyde died, he took them as mementoes.”
“Why didn’t this Louise take them? Clyde married a Louise Green, and it only makes sense she would have had Clyde’s papers after he died.”
“Perhaps they were divorced? Or perhaps she gave them to Herb afterward.”
“No, that doesn’t feel right. You don’t give away things like discharge papers, birth certificates, diplomas, not as mementoes. You give a favorite pen, or books he loved, a ring or tie clip, remembrances, not documents.”
“Why would a person have another person’s papers?”
“I have no idea. It makes no sense.”
“Maybe Clyde and Louise were no longer together, and when Clyde died, Herb took care of matters and kept them.”
“I guess it’s possible.”
Tracy pulled into the library parking lot, and the two women got out. “I’m going to be a little while, do you mind? I’m going to see what they have about shuffleboard.”
“It’s played on a table?”
“Not this kind. It’s played on a court. It’s the stupidest game known to man, and suddenly I have to be an expert. I also have to see if I can find a book on installing tile.”
Janya listened as Tracy explained about the stacks of tile.
The explanation took them inside. “I will wait for you in the computer room,” Janya said. “I would like to check my e-mail.”
“Doesn’t your husband work with computers?”
“Yes, but we have a problem with our Internet connection at home.”
“I hope that’s your problem, not mine.”
“It is related to our telephone, but I’m afraid our leaking air conditioner is your problem.”
“Great. I’ve got a guy coming to look at Wanda’s cottage. I’ll send him down to yours, too, and now I really am going to have to install my own tile. I’ll see you in a little while.”
Janya returned her books to the front desk; then she browsed the aisles, settling on a thick novel about eighteenth-century Russia, and a cookbook with traditional American recipes. In her opinion, Rishi had a poor appetite, and she didn’t want him to waste away, not even if it meant she could go back to India.
After she checked out her new finds, she wandered back to the computer room. The librarian explained what she had to do to get online, then checked her card. Finally Janya followed the simple steps and logged on.
In a moment, thanks to the miracle of microchips, she was gazing at her mailbox, plump with messages. Delighted, she saw that she had an e-mail from Yash. She opened it and quickly scanned his words, written not in their native language but in English.
I can understand that you are busy adjusting to your new life. But please let me know when it would be convenient to talk to you. I miss you, and I’m surprised you haven’t phoned me.
For a moment she was so angry she wanted to strike the screen. Her parents were intentionally trying to keep her from contacting her brother. None of her calls had borne fruit because they hadn’t told Yash she was trying to get in touch. Apparently they had told him that she wanted to be left alone to adjust to her new life.
She fired back an e-mail, using English, too.
Yash, I have called many times. It is clear that our mother does not want me to speak to you. Please telephone when our parents are not at home. Please do not let them separate us.
She typed in her telephone number, then paused before she pressed Send.
Did she want to create problems for Yash? If he confronted their parents, trouble would certainly ensue. She could almost hear the argument that would follow. Her entire history would be recounted. How she had shamed the family. How Yash’s own future depended on distancing himself from Janya. How Janya was so selfish that she did not see the harm she was doing by trying to remain a viable part of her brother’s life.
Was this the news her mother had wanted to impart in her letter? That she was barring Yash from any communication with Janya? The letter had not yet arrived. Mail delivery between India and the United States could be excellent or poor, with no apparent explanation. Had Inika Desai written to demand that Janya separate herself from the family for everyone’s good? Was she demanding that Janya forget she had a brother?
Janya reread her e-mail. Yash would expect an answer. His e-mail was dated four days ago. He