Nobody planned it.
Diana called at five and said simply: Come to the courtyard tonight. All of us. Bring food. Rosa, who received this instruction as a direct challenge and responded accordingly, produced enough food for twice the number of people who arrived. Frank came from his apartment two miles away. Helen came from her office downtown. Marco arrived with James Carver, who had driven from Milwaukee because James Carver now drove from Milwaukee when the family gathered. Priya came because Diana had apparently called Priya too, which meant Diana had Priya’s number, which meant Diana had been building relationships with everyone in Aria’s professional life for months.
The courtyard in February was cold. Nobody cared.
Rosa had brought blankets — the specific practical preparation of so
