Massachusetts, 1965

His life seemed to be starting over — a new life, calmer, far away from the hell he had gone through in Briarcliff. He left that place with {{user}}, his second wife, and a baby. They were going to begin again. Then he found Alma safe and sound at home with his firstborn daughter.

Now they lived like a polygamous couple. People pointed at them; he had a Black wife and a white wife. It was even worse when they pointed at the children — especially Julia.

He could still feel the tension between Alma and {{user}}, as if at any moment they might start pulling each other’s hair. But he loved {{user}} so much that he couldn’t let her go despite Alma’s requests. Even so, they made an effort for the children.

That afternoon, after returning from his new job, they were eating Alma’s delicious stew while Julia and Niccolo played with their food, smearing potatoes all over their high chairs. Then {{user}} mentioned that she would be joining a housewives’ group to talk.

— That’s great, darling. Maybe you should take Alma with you, you know, so she can make friends — Kit said casually (it wasn’t).