Mr. Kapasi had a son who suffered from an illness which eventually led to his death. The boy’s illness marked the beginning of the family’s troubles. Mr. Kapasi accepted a second job as an interpreter at the doctor’s office where he took his son for treatment in order to pay for medical bills. The son’s death also led to a deterioration in the relationship between Mr. Kapasi and his wife, who grew estranged from one another as a result of the death.