Helsingborg, Sweden

Helsingborg is the town in Sweden where the story is set. This is the place where the narrator was born, and where he is currently living. At the start of the story, it is Christmas Eve, and the narrator is observing the snow falling on the city. He tells his son that he has always has a fraught relationship with the place. He believes that everyone must have this relationship with the place where they grew up.

Hospital

The hospital is another of the story's primary settings. The narrator has been in and out of the hospital ever since he was diagnosed with cancer. A week prior to the narrative present, he met a little girl in the hospital television room. The little girl also had cancer. Something about her moved the narrator, and reminded him of his son. Throughout the story, the narrative shifts between scenes...