Elvy and Flora’s Shared Calling

Handling the Undead

This flow follows the trust between grandmother and granddaughter as their different beliefs and abilities converge around the fate of the dead.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Shared Sensitivity A Shared Sensitivity from "Handling the Undead". A Shared Sensitivity Naming the Sense Elvy and Flora discover that both can sense what people conceal beneath ordinary speech.

A Shared Sensitivity from "Handling the Undead". A Shared Sensitivity Naming the Sense Elvy and Flora discover that both can sense what people conceal beneath ordinary speech.

A Shared Sensitivity Naming the Sense Elvy and Flora discover that both can sense what people conceal beneath ordinary speech. Flora’s perception makes school painful, while Elvy describes the burden from experience. A bond made by recognition Elvy’s understanding helps Flora stop hurting herself and visit more often. Their relationship gives both women a rare space where they need not pretend to be less sensitive.

The Night in the Garden The Night in the Garden from "Handling the Undead". The Night in the Garden An experience shared Elvy and Flora feel the force that moves through them before the returned dead appear.

The Night in the Garden from "Handling the Undead". The Night in the Garden An experience shared Elvy and Flora feel the force that moves through them before the returned dead appear.

The Night in the Garden An experience shared Elvy and Flora feel the force that moves through them before the returned dead appear. They also detect one another’s thoughts in an unfamiliar way. Belief separates them Elvy understands the event through faith, while Flora cannot accept that explanation. Their closeness survives difference, but each now faces the crisis with a different map.

Flora Leaves for The Heath Flora Leaves for The Heath from "Handling the Undead". Flora Leaves for The Heath A sudden departure After Tore returns, Flora leaves Elvy’s house and travels to Peter’s room at The Heath.

Flora Leaves for The Heath from "Handling the Undead". Flora Leaves for The Heath A sudden departure After Tore returns, Flora leaves Elvy’s house and travels to Peter’s room at The Heath.

Flora Leaves for The Heath A sudden departure After Tore returns, Flora leaves Elvy’s house and travels to Peter’s room at The Heath. Elvy worries but cannot keep her there. Trust across distance Flora and Elvy share a strong bond even when they cannot stay together. Their separation places each in a different part of the unfolding emergency.

A Reunion at the Gates A Reunion at the Gates from "Handling the Undead". A Reunion at the Gates Seeing Nana again Flora recognizes Elvy on a stage at The Heath and runs to her after Elvy is removed.

A Reunion at the Gates from "Handling the Undead". A Reunion at the Gates Seeing Nana again Flora recognizes Elvy on a stage at The Heath and runs to her after Elvy is removed.

A Reunion at the Gates Seeing Nana again Flora recognizes Elvy on a stage at The Heath and runs to her after Elvy is removed. She notices how exhausted her grandmother has become. A warning without certainty Flora learns that Elvy believes she has a mission, but Elvy cannot fully explain it. Their affection makes Flora want to protect her, even as she rejects the message.

A Shared Realization A Shared Realization from "Handling the Undead". A Shared Realization The message corrected Flora tells Elvy that the dead, not the living, are the ones who must come to the Virgin Mary.

A Shared Realization from "Handling the Undead". A Shared Realization The message corrected Flora tells Elvy that the dead, not the living, are the ones who must come to the Virgin Mary.

A Shared Realization The message corrected Flora tells Elvy that the dead, not the living, are the ones who must come to the Virgin Mary. Elvy accepts the interpretation and agrees to go to The Heath. Too late to repair everything The women act together, but events have already moved beyond their control. Their shared understanding restores their partnership without guaranteeing salvation for the dead.

Summer 2001

13 August 2002, about 10:30 p.m.

14 August 2002, before dawn

17 August 2002, shortly after noon

17 August 2002, late evening