The Expatriates

Three months have passed since the preceding section. David is still avoiding Hilary and is experiencing what she calls his “midlife crisis.” She is annoyed at him but also jealous that he was brave enough to make the first move and spark their separation. Her mother has been supportive, telling her that she doesn’t have to have children or adopt if she doesn’t want to.

Hilary is seeing Julian more often. She takes him to get ice cream and is guilt-stricken by his amazement over all the choices. He is reluctant to pick, and she helps him decide on a flavor. To assuage her guilt, she sends him back to the group home with a new pair of sneakers.

Mercy is living in what she thinks of as a bubble—fragile and easily disturbed, but happy enough. She and David see each other a few times a week, but she never goes to his furnished hotel. She also never asks about his wife or the future.

Margaret attends a charity luncheon as a favor to a friend. Once there, she is angry when the mother of one of Daisy’s schoolmates tries to gossip about Daisy. She warns Margaret that Daisy is looking at websites about child loss and other tragedies.