In "Station Eleven," the protagonist reflects on the remnants of relationships that persist even after they have ended. He contemplates a feeling that is too fragile or sentimental to express openly, recognizing that many of his divorced friends would likely not admit to it either. This internal conflict suggests that there is a lingering connection between these individuals, a residual affection that remains despite the absence of a functional marriage.
This idea proposes that love can leave behind a memory, a kind of essence, that continues to exist in some form. Even when relationships have transformed into mere coexistence or animosity, there is a belief that the individuals still share a meaningful bond, highlighting the complex nature of human connections and the ways they endure through change.