Table for Two

by Amor Towles

But then, in a steeplechase, does the thoroughbred that has cleared the first hurdle suddenly slow down to consider the second? Of course not. Taking confidence from the success of his first leap, losing himself in the thrill of the contest and the sound of his own thundering hooves, he takes the second hurdle without a second thought.

Just so, when Timothy executed this second signature, he easily cleared the moral obstacles and raced around the track while

Relatives who should never be allowed to set foot in a kitchen are suddenly walking through your door with some sort of vegetable casserole in which the “secret ingredient” is mayonnaise. And when cousin Betsy arrives with such a mishap in hand, one can take no comfort from thoughts of the future, for once a single person politely compliments the dish, its presence at Thanksgiving will be deemed sacrosanct.

Then not even the death of cousin Betsy can save you from it, because as soon as she’s in the grave, her daughter will proudly pick up the baton.