Gordon writes about lost love, lives gained

More than halfway through Mary Gordon’s latest novel, two former high school sweethearts share a meal at an expensive restaurant nearly 40 years after their passionate, six-year love affair has ended badly. When the waiter brings the food, the woman — who has remained bitter about the terrible breakup — observes to the man, “We’re more than halfway through.” Does she mean the meal, their chance reunion, or something else? When he asks what she means, she replies, “Our life.”