“How did you fall in love with Aunt Frances?” I asked. “Ah,” said Uncle Julian, and mopped his forehead, which was shiny and damp. He was going a little bald, but in a handsome way. “You really want to know?” “Yes.” “She was wearing blue tights.” “What do you mean?” “I saw her at the zoo in front of the chimpanzee cage, and she was wearing blue tights. And I thought: That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” “Because of her tights?” “Yes. The light was shining on her in a very nice way. And she was completely transfixed by this one chimp. But if it hadn’t been for the tights, I don’t think I would have ever gone up to her.” “Do you ever think about what would have happened if she’d decided not to wear those tights that day?” “All the time,” said Uncle Julian. “I might have been a much happier man.” I pushed the tikka masala around my plate. “But probably not,” he said.

-Nicole Krauss