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Love in the Face of Death

Handling the Undead

This flow follows David and Eva’s partnership from domestic confidence through separation to the possibility of a future reunion.

increasingupBearing stren­gth in each eventdowndecreasing
A Lucky MarriageA Lucky Marriage from "Handling the Undead". A Lucky Marriage A daily recognition David thinks how fortunate he is to be married to Eva.
A Lucky Marriage A daily recognition David thinks how fortunate he is to be married to Eva. Their shared life includes creative work, parenthood, humor, and the ordinary negotiations of a household. Security under strain David’s happiness is mixed with the fear that he has received more than he deserves. The approaching crisis turns that fear into a literal threat to their life together.
The Last Ordinary KissThe Last Ordinary Kiss from "Handling the Undead". The Last Ordinary Kiss A family separates for the night David and Eva part while Magnus goes to stay with his grandmother.
The Last Ordinary Kiss A family separates for the night David and Eva part while Magnus goes to stay with his grandmother. Their affection and plans for later assume that the family will reunite as usual. Regret arrives early David watches them disappear and fears that he may never see them again. The anxiety that once seemed excessive becomes painfully justified by Eva’s accident.
A Hand ReturnsA Hand Returns from "Handling the Undead". A Hand Returns Death interrupted David holds Eva’s hand as she lies dead in hospital.
A Hand Returns Death interrupted David holds Eva’s hand as she lies dead in hospital. It jerks and squeezes back, giving him a moment of hope before he sees the injuries and deadness in her eye. Love confronted with horror He does not withdraw from her, though her body frightens him. Care becomes an act of loyalty to Eva rather than a response to any promise of recovery.
Words at The HeathWords at The Heath from "Handling the Undead". Words at The Heath The family reunites Eva recognizes David and Magnus and calls them her family.
Words at The Heath The family reunites Eva recognizes David and Magnus and calls them her family. David approaches carefully, afraid that even an embrace might injure her weakened body. Distance inside recognition Her words offer connection, but David cannot sense her through the thought field. The emotional reunion does not prove that the person he loved has returned intact.
A Promise of LaterA Promise of Later from "Handling the Undead". A Promise of Later The proposal returns David dreams of the day he asked Eva to marry him.
A Promise of Later The proposal returns David dreams of the day he asked Eva to marry him. In that remembered moment she tells him that she must go, but that they will meet again. Separation made bearable The dream cannot confirm what lies beyond death. It gives David a form of hope that does not require keeping Eva’s damaged body alive.
13 August 2002, late afternoon
13 August 2002, early evening
13 August 2002, shortly after 11 p.m.
17 August 2002, shortly after noon
17 August 2002, late evening