The Answer to Everything

Mr. Copperfield was surrounded by Sound and Fury when he was interrupted by a zoom call.

“Emma! What brings you to office hours?” It was his brightest student's little sister, who surreptitiously shadowed his online lectures.

“I know you're technically Liz' teacher, but I wanted to ask you… what's the answer? To everything. I…” Emma faltered. “Need to know.”

“I’m flattered you think I’d know.”

“You’ve read so many books, sir. All the greatest minds writing collectively on the human experience over centuries! You’re telling me no combination has ever hit on it?”

“Probably because there’s no singular answer. You have to find one that works for you and live your best by it.”

“What’s your answer, then? Something that’s still applicable in the face of… whatever life throws at you. Like, I don’t know, a pandemic for instance? I mean, my parents are musicians, both out of a job. My best friend is—” Emma’s voice cracked, “in hospital, and he’s young so he’ll probably recover, but… I want to believe there’s still room for people like us. Even if we can’t do anything. That there’s a reason for all of this pain and loss. That there’s… an answer…”

“There’s always room for you, Emma. Just because you can’t save the world, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it. It’s beautiful and horrible and it’s all yours… if you want. You just have to be strong…”

* * *

After the call, Copperfield let out a long, wheezing cough. At 52, his survival chances with COVID weren’t the worst, but he was a smoker in college and his lungs were failing him. As he relaxed in his armchair and opened his book, he only knew one thing for sure: if he was going to go down, he’d go down with Faulkner.