Alice Elliott Dark's Short Story 'In The Gloaming'

The Relationships of In The Gloaming Watching a loved one die is one of the most difficult events a person can experience in life. Some people come to terms with the death of their loved one, reconcile their differences, and their death brings acceptance and closure. For others, a family member’s death leaves them with a sense of regret and guilt. Alice Elliott Dark’s short story “In The Gloaming” shows examples of how people react and cope with the death of a loved one. The different ways Janet and Martin handle Laird’s illness and death are respective of their relationships with him. Martin has little or no relationship with his son. He chooses to ignore Laird entirely and disregard his illness. Janet, on the other hand, chooses
When Laird comes home to die, Janet becomes his caregiver. Laird has full-time hospice nursing care, but it is Janet who truly cares for him. Prior to Laird’s illness and move home, Janet had no strong friendships or connections. Martin is distant, physically and emotionally, Anne is married with her own children, and Laird is off living his life. When Laird moves home, Janet yearns to talk to him and get to know him. She wants to know about his life, what he likes, if he loved and was loved. Laird, in turn, wants to know about her, where she came from, and what she enjoys. Laird finally opens up to Janet, and she becomes infatuated with him and their conversations. She changes her schedule, altering her routine to follow Laird’s so she can be there to talk with him. She aches for him so much she describes herself as, “behaving like a girl with a crush.” Janet had years earlier resigned herself to the fact Martin was not the lover she had hoped for. After reconnecting with Laird, she realizes he is the love of her life, not a romantic or sexual love, but a true longing to be cherished, cared for, and to receive the same in return. Laird is actually interested in what she likes. He asks her about her favorite authors and what she wanted to be when she grew up. They develop a bond with almost flirtatious conversation neither of them have had before. Their relationship becomes healing to them both. Janet is accepting of Laird’s death. She is comforted by finally being able to love and be loved, to actually have a fulfilling connection with someone. In the same way, Laird is loved and comforted as he is dying. He does not die alone, but peacefully, as he listens to the sound of his mother’s voice. Janet, by reconnecting with Laird, is able to accept his death without