First published 2006
John Riley throws himself into his accounting work, avoiding thoughts of his failed marriage. Two years have passed since Helen left him. His mother changes everything when she tells him Helen wants to meet. John agrees to see his wife again, uncertain what she expects from him. Their conversations force John to examine what went wrong between them. Meanwhile, his own parents face their own crisis. His father lives in a nursing home now, his mind lost to Alzheimer's disease. His mother visits less frequently. John watches his parents' marriage crumble as he and Helen attempt to rebuild theirs. The parallel stories of two marriages play out across different generations. John must decide whether his relationship with Helen can survive their past mistakes. His parents' deteriorating bond serves as both warning and mirror. Middleton examines how couples navigate separation, illness, and the possibility of reconciliation.
Genres: literary-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: parallel-stories, second-chance
256 pages · Hardcover · Hutchinson
Content warnings: mental-illness