Looking For Alaska
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How do we reconcile ourselves to tragedy?
When do we ask Why did this happen?
and when do we ask What can we do now?
So, so many tears.
The Eagle assures Pudge that Alaska is dead: He saw Alaskas body.
Everyone in the gym is sobbing.
Even Kevin and Holly are allowing themselves to be comforted in prayer by Dr. Hyde.
Pudge collapses to the floor, sobbing now, too.
Takumi brings Pudge some food as a reconciliation gesture.
Hes sorry he blamed Pudge and the Colonel, but theyd have gotten to this stage of self-recrimination anyway.
Takumi sees Lara weeping quietly in her room and sits down to offer a shoulder and hug.
Classes resume, and predictably, everyone is a complete wreck.
At least Dr. Hyde has some philosophy that may help the kids work through their grief.
Remember back inTell Them I Said Something,when Pudge dithered over his precalc-group-study-date outfit?
Both I and Dr. Hyde concur: This is a strong choice.
Until then, this will hurt, but you will survive, until you dont.
Longwell notices and turns back to check on him.
He can see now that Alaska was in terrible pain, and his actions made her pain worse.
Longwell reminds him that its not too late.
We could all really use an adult right about now.
Longwells is a lightly mussed teen version of the Eagles early-period-Captain America-crossed-with-a-Kewpie-doll hair swoop.
He knows that he lost Alaska years ago by holding her responsible for her mothers death.
Who would have called her that night?
He has no idea why that would make her flip out and run screaming from the phone.
Oh, hey, its the second Postal Service musical cue of the series!
Straight and fast is how she drove into the crash.
What if her death wasnt an accident at all?
I can also heartily recommend the full poem by W.H.
Auden that Alaska quoted to Pudge in The Nourishment Is Palatable, I Walked Out One Evening.
