For as grateful as she feels for the company of the Nandis and Dr. Gupta, these acquaintances are only substitutes for the people who really ought to be surrounding them. Without a single grandparent or parent or uncle or aunt at her side, the baby's birth, like most everything else in America, feels somehow haphazard, only half true.
The protagonist expresses a deep sense of gratitude for the support of her acquaintances, the Nandis and Dr. Gupta, during a significant moment in her life. However, she acknowledges that their presence is not a true replacement for her absent family members, such as grandparents and aunts or uncles, who should ideally be there to share in the joy. This absence leaves her feeling a sense of incompleteness and disconnection from her cultural roots.
The experience of giving birth, in her eyes, becomes emblematic of a broader theme of dislocation prevalent in America. The lack of familial support during such a pivotal time adds to a feeling of uncertainty, making it seem as though her life is pieced together rather than whole. This sentiment reflects on the complexities of immigrant experiences and the search for belonging in a new environment.
