Grief

The author uses the theme of grief to explore emotional connections between people and their understanding of how they conduct their lives.

In the opening chapters of the novel, Anthony reveals that his fiancée Therese died before they could be married. For Anthony, grief has been his companion throughout his life. Anthony knows his own death is near and is making plans for his estate and his life’s work to be carried out by Laura. In leaving his estate to Laura, Anthony gives Laura an opportunity to find more for her life than what he was left with when Therese died.

Laura is grieving a past relationship when she begins working for Anthony. Her marriage to Vince has ended in divorce, but she also suffered a miscarriage and disappointment from not being able to conceive again. Laura feels lost in her life and Anthony...