Morrie, I said softly. Coach, he corrected.Coach, I said. I felt a shiver. He spoke in short bursts, inhaling air, exhaling words. His voice was thin and raspy. He smelled of ointment.You ... are a good soul. A good soul.Touched me ... he whispered. He moved my hands to his heart. Here.It felt as if I had a pit in my throat. Coach?Ahh?I don't know how to say good-bye.He patted my hand weakly, keeping it on his chest.This ... is how we say ... good-bye ...
The emotional exchange between the narrator and Morrie highlights their deep bond. As the narrator softens his approach, calling Morrie "Coach," it evokes a sense of both comfort and sadness. Morrie's frail voice and the warmth of his presence create a poignant atmosphere, filled with memories and unspoken emotions. His acknowledgment of the narrator as a "good soul" serves to underline the impact he has had on those around him.
This moment of farewell is particularly moving, as Morrie guides the narrator to feel their connection physically by placing his hands on his heart. The narrator experiences a profound struggle with expressing his feelings of loss, symbolized by the "pit in his throat." Morrie's gentle reassurance and final words about saying goodbye encapsulate the essence of their relationship, making it not just a farewell but a celebration of their shared moments.
