“As contradictory as it seems, our societies are built on bonds and silence. Our joys are loud and our grief demonstrative. Our voices are strong and our laughter thunderous, but rarely do we say a word about our private lives. We do not have as many taboos as people claim, but messages are blurred by esoteric interpretations.
Abi is in tune with her era. My grandson, Max, even more so. They demand answers, all sorts of explanations.
They ascribe virtues of all sorts to transparency, which they label truth, and have no patience for pretence. Where do they get this strength from, this confidence that I envy, this arrogance? We are so much more than the sum of our parts. Our grey areas would not stand the light. What world would survive the systematic exposure of everyone’s secrets? This is blasphemy in Abi and Max's eyes. I understand them. I have long thought that there are instances where silence buttresses the bond better than baneful truths. I am not so sure anymore.”