The Snow Child

Years pass. It is the night of the first snow. Jack and Mabel, now into their 60s, are visiting Garrett’s cabin and are greeted by their strapping grandson Jay, named after Jack. The grief over the loss of Faina has never gone away, but Jack and Mabel both take solace in their memories. They relish Mabel’s fairy-tale book with its gorgeous illustrations and Mabel’s copious sketches of Faina. Mabel delights in sharing stories of Faina with Jay, watching his eyes grow wide as she recalls his mother’s remarkable beauty and courage.

Although she keeps a locket of Faina’s hair in a necklace, Mabel, her own hair snowy white and her skin wrinkled, no longer pines for the girl or anticipates her return with the first snow of winter. She is at peace with loss. As George and Esther arrive, Jack and Mabel delight in the closeness of their families. And as their evening together closes, Jay cheers: It has begun to snow.