The Latecomer

Each of the triplets has a very specific first memory: Lewyn of the beach behind their Martha’s Vineyard cottage; Harrison of their dog growling at him; and Sally of Harrison taking an apple from Lewyn. After their birth, Salo tries to connect with his children, but fails. He understands that they will always be the people that they currently are, and so will he. Salo realizes that he does not want his life, or the people in it, but does not know what he does want.

Johanna has two nurses to help her with the triplets, and tries to breastfeed them all until her sister, Debbie, suggests formula. She is so busy with the children that, for the first time in their relationship, Salo is not her primary concern—in fact, she neglects him, and he responds by spending more time at his art warehouse.

Johanna wants desperately for her family to be close, but it does not happen. Even when the triplets are interested in the same things, they do not share their interests or activities. In fact, they remain completely separate, and desire to be so. Johanna stubbornly refuses to acknowledge this, and continues to manufacture togetherness, creating quilts and photographs to commemorate a nonexistent shared past.