Jack Brouder now understands that retirement can be a double-edged sword. He has earned the right to relax but a lifelong aversion to personal commitment has left him lonely and afraid of what the future holds in store. The road forks ahead and neither path leads to a happy ending. Long, contemplative walks help him escape the boredom and isolation that define his new life, and when a harsh New England winter forces him indoors he seeks the shelter and solace of a local shopping mall. There he encounters a group of retirees who meet each day for coffee. They invite him into their fold and...