Buffy After the Goodbye

Black Water (Joyce Carol Oates Edition)

This flow traces the closeness and friction between Kelly Kelleher and Buffy St. John, from their college friendship to the separation at the party.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Roommates at Brown Roommates at Brown from "Black Water". An Established Friendship Shared history Kelly Kelleher and Buffy St. John are close friends from Brown University.

Roommates at Brown from "Black Water". An Established Friendship Shared history Kelly Kelleher and Buffy St. John are close friends from Brown University.

An Established Friendship Shared history Kelly Kelleher and Buffy St. John are close friends from Brown University. Their friendship gives Kelly a familiar home and social circle on Grayling Island. Different temperaments Buffy is more worldly and openly confident about sex than Kelly. The differences create teasing and contrast without cancelling their affection.

A Weekend Invitation A Weekend Invitation from "Black Water". Returning to the Cottage A familiar welcome Buffy St. John invites Kelly Kelleher to the family cottage for the holiday weekend.

A Weekend Invitation from "Black Water". Returning to the Cottage A familiar welcome Buffy St. John invites Kelly Kelleher to the family cottage for the holiday weekend.

Returning to the Cottage A familiar welcome Buffy St. John invites Kelly Kelleher to the family cottage for the holiday weekend. Kelly has visited many times and expects to remain there through Sunday. A chance encounter The visit brings Kelly into the gathering where she meets The Senator. Buffy’s invitation becomes the setting for a choice neither friend initially anticipates.

A Friend’s Observation A Friend’s Observation from "Black Water". Buffy Notices the Connection A knowing remark Buffy St. John tells Kelly Kelleher that she and The Senator are getting along well.

A Friend’s Observation from "Black Water". Buffy Notices the Connection A knowing remark Buffy St. John tells Kelly Kelleher that she and The Senator are getting along well.

Buffy Notices the Connection A knowing remark Buffy St. John tells Kelly Kelleher that she and The Senator are getting along well. Kelly smiles, embarrassed by how accurately Buffy has noticed her reaction. Warning beneath banter Buffy also reminds Kelly that The Senator supported aid to the Contras. The remark combines teasing with a political warning, leaving its precise motive ambiguous.

The Farewell in the Driveway The Farewell in the Driveway from "Black Water". A Friend Watches Them Go An abrupt departure Kelly Kelleher leaves the cottage with The Senator despite having planned to stay the weekend. Buffy St.

The Farewell in the Driveway from "Black Water". A Friend Watches Them Go An abrupt departure Kelly Kelleher leaves the cottage with The Senator despite having planned to stay the weekend. Buffy St.

A Friend Watches Them Go An abrupt departure Kelly Kelleher leaves the cottage with The Senator despite having planned to stay the weekend. Buffy St. John catches up, squeezes her hand, and asks her to call the next day. A goodbye without explanation Kelly cannot comfortably explain why she is leaving. The silence between friends is affectionate but strained by what both suspect and neither can readily say.

The Reunion Imagined The Reunion Imagined from "Black Water". Love After Loss An imagined confession While trapped, Kelly Kelleher imagines surviving and embracing Buffy St.

The Reunion Imagined from "Black Water". Love After Loss An imagined confession While trapped, Kelly Kelleher imagines surviving and embracing Buffy St.

Love After Loss An imagined confession While trapped, Kelly Kelleher imagines surviving and embracing Buffy St. John, telling her that she loves her and regrets shutting her out. A relationship left unfinished The vision expresses the apology and affection Kelly cannot deliver in reality. Her friendship becomes part of the life she hopes to recover just before the story confirms her death.

During their college years

Before the Fourth of July

Late afternoon on the Fourth of July

Around 7:55 p.m. on the Fourth of July

In Kelly’s final imagined moments