1920
Tom can't even make a move. He's on the verge of death himself even though his body is totally healthy. It is spiritual death. He lost half of his soul.
He knows that he should shave and dress himself, then go downstairs and eat breakfast with some members of the family. But he can't.
He is lying motionlessly in the bed, a sleeping newborn by his side. The little one is his only source of comfort. How can he even get up? Sybil went where he can't follow her. No, he can't follow her. He has to look after Sybbie. He can't let Sybil down. Moreover, his religion forbids taking your life on your own. He would be damned. And if he's damned, he'll never see Sybil again. Then he would be in an even worse situation than he is now.
Suddenly, he hears that Sybbie makes a move. The little girl has opened her eyes. Her eyes. They're just like her mother's.
A realization hits him. Sybil looks at him too. In this very moment. She sees everything. What does she want? Most probably for him to get up and try to live normally. He has to try it. For her sake.
Tom also feels that the mere thought of Sybil looking at him in this very moment warms his heart.
He gets up.
1924
Tom goes to his room with Sybbie, to sit in peace with his beloved child. There is complete tranquillity in the room. Quietly, he approaches the desk, takes a pen in his hands and begins scribbling down on the paper. Lately he has had a lot of such moments, a lot of such sudden impulses.
He stopped writing when Sybil died and has not found inspiration since then. But he feels that something tells him to try again.
His gaze lingers at Sybil's picture on his bedside table.
And then it dawns on him. She's never really left him. She's still with him, always, even though not in flesh. She communicates with him too, even though not verbally. There is an unbreakable bond between them, something that even death couldn't destroy. He just needed to find her again.
And he feels that he's ready to do so.
He now even knows what she wants. She wants him to live for the two of them, to pursue their dreams, for them and for their daughter.
Writing is his passion. He should start doing so again. For Sybil, Sybbie, and yes, for himself too.
He begins writing.
Tom feels that he is regaining his internal strength. Sybil has always been his fire and she'll always be this. She'll always be with him. And life's beautiful.
He continues writing and after some time looks at the first draft of a new article.
He gets up and approaches Sybbie, who plays with her dolls on Da's bed.
"Look, darling, Da's just found Mama again," Tom informs the little girl happily.
Sybbie looks at him and smiles beautifully. "Da, talk to me about Mama."
"Yes, it's time to tell you more about the only woman I've ever loved, who is also the only woman I'll ever love."