The Windfall

by Diksha Basu

His India was neither rich nor poor. There were no huge homes and elaborate weddings, nor were there slums and water shortages and child laborers. The middle ground was too confusing to explain to an outsider. It was neither exotic enough nor familiar enough.

“How come Americans get called expats but if we move to America, we’re called immigrants?” Mrs. Jha asked.

Only the rich claim that money can’t buy happiness.

They say a marriage is only as happy as the unhappiest partner, and it’s true. It is very hard to be happy around someone who isn’t happy themselves, and when we were married, she wasn’t.”

“A good spouse is someone with whom you can successfully run a boring nonprofit organization. Don’t you think? Most things fade. But you need to find someone you can do the boring things with.