There had been mandatory pre-Two-delivery sessions. The one Paul and Sally attended was led by a Dr. Yaekel.

    “There!” Dr. Yaekel said by way of introduction. “Now there. Is everybody here? ­­-- who should be here, I mean!”

    No one laughed. Ice remained unbroken. The doctor started a sign-up tablet on its way around the room. Having initially handed it to a man in the middle of ...