The Secret Life of Sunflowers

Violet’s funeral is a celebratory affair, with Bram Sr. carrying out the detailed wishes she left behind. Emsley’s mother finds the event abhorrent, and her father attempts to quiet her. As they are saying their goodbyes at Violet’s grave, Emsley catches sight of a man she recognizes to be Taylor Wertheim. He is elderly but stately. He suddenly trips near the grave and falls on top of the casket. Many rush to help him up.

Theo is moved around to various facilities and finally to a psychiatric hospital in Utrecht in the Netherlands. Johanna is adamant that if he were to come home, her love would heal him. She leaves Wil in the care of her mother and takes a train to visit him. When she arrives, the hospital personnel advise against the visit, telling Johanna that Theo has worsened and does not wish to see her. She persists and finds him in a cell, experiencing an episode of acute mental illness.

Emsley continues to clean out Violet’s home. Bram Jr. calls and jokes about the incident with Senator Wertheim, and then he asks to take Emsley out for coffee. Believing he is married, she refuses. Strena arrives later and asks Emsley to come with her to the Museum of Modern Art so that she can show her one of Violet’s paintings, Excalibur.