they were about to nap: him on the couch, her on the armchair. the phone rang twice, and the father picked it up—it was their son. the son wanted to know if he had to invite his uncle, his aunt and his cousins over when they were in town, or if it was fine to meet them for dinner at a restaurant instead. these little details escaped him, and his wife hadn’t a clue. the father told his son of the proper etiquette, and the son was reassured. they had a long history.