Or perhaps a widow found him and took him in: brought him an easy chair, changed his sweater every morning, shaved his face until the hair stopped growing, took him faithfully to bed with her every night, whispered sweet nothings into what was left of his ear, laughed with him over black coffee, cried with him over yellowing pictures, talked greenly about having kids of her own, began to miss him before she became sick, left him everything in her will, thought of only him as she died, always knew he was fiction but believed in him anyway.
The quote reflects a poignant relationship between a widow and a fictional character, portraying deep emotional attachment and companionship. Despite knowing he is not real, the widow nurtures him in various ways, from tending to his physical needs to sharing intimate moments that highlight her longing and affection. This blurs the line between reality and fiction, emphasizing the comforting power of imagination in dealing with loneliness and loss.
As the widow's life progresses, her commitment to this imaginary bond becomes clear. She includes him in her daily life, cherishing memories and planning for a future that will never come, showcasing her emotional investment. Ultimately, her act of leaving everything to him in her will symbolizes a profound connection that transcends the boundaries of reality, illustrating how love can take many forms—even for an illusion.
