Afterlife (2020)By Julia Alvarez
Prof Antonia Vega has just retired from her teaching position at a VT college and has made plans to meet her husband Sam, an eye doctor, for a celebratory dinner, but he doesn't show up. He suffered a sudden aortic aneurysm, leaving Antonia a widow just as she is about to start a new chapter in her life. How will she survive with the loss of both her husband, and her work?
Antonia's well-meaning neighbor decides to send his farm hand, Marco (an undocumented immigrant) to see if he can help Antonia with some outdoor maintenance, and Antonia ends up helping Marco get his girlfriend (also undocumented) to VT. Meanwhile, Antonia is invited to a get-together in Chicago with her 3 sisters (all born in the Dominican Republic, but now professionals in the US). One sister, who has a history of erratic behavior, however, never shows up, and does not answer phone calls. When the sisters finally track Izzy down, it's apparent some medical intervention is needed. In the middle of the search for Izzy, Estela shows up on Antonia's doorstep, pregnant and now rejected by Marco.
For Antonia, grieving her husband, she struggles to know how to respond to the many needs around her, and what is her responsibility. (Am I my brother's keeper?) This is a short but very thoughtful story about the aftermath of the death of a spouse and the ongoing demands on a person's life.
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