The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett

Eudora decides to take Stanley to one of the group events that Ruth, the social worker, left pamphlets for. They attend with Rose in tow. The speaker turns out to be a death doula, Hannah, who advises audience members to make a living will and communicate their wishes to their loved ones so that they can have a peaceful death. Rose offers to be Eudora’s death doula and enjoys the entire conversation. Meanwhile, Stanley meets a woman with whom he has things in common: Eudora’s goal—to get him out of the house and connecting with other people—is a success.

After Eudora has returned home, Greta from the assisted death clinic calls and asks Eudora to fill out a living will and get updated forms from her doctor. Greta reminds Eudora that “life is precious and as long as we have a reason to continue, we should follow that path” (210).

The narrative flashes back to Eudora’s birthday in 1959. Sylvia was not around because she was about to get married. Beatrice made Eudora’s breakfast but cooked it badly. She also gave Eudora a hand-knitted sweater. Reflecting on the gift and the fact that she was still living with her mother at 26, Eudora felt terrible. At the park, she saw Sam Buchanan with his wife and children and rushed home, filled with sadness. Stella called to wish her happy birthday, and Eudora told her once more never to call again.

Eudora picks up a sunflower bouquet and some unicorn candies as presents for Maggie and Rose. She is surprised when Rose answers the door partially dressed, trying on her school uniform. Eudora and Maggie have a heart-to-heart about how short life is and how much loss has affected them; both have lost their fathers, and Maggie has lost several pregnancies. When Rose, fully dressed in her uniform, rushes back into the room and expresses worry about going to school, Eudora promises to trip any bullies with her stick and to be there for her in general.

On Stanley’s birthday, Rose’s plan is for Eudora and Stanley to come with her to the pizza place that Stanley and his wife used to visit. The moment is bittersweet for Stanley, but he, Rose, and Eudora have a great time. Eudora tries pizza for the first time; she is skeptical but finds that she loves it. When the server assumes that Rose is her and Stanley’s granddaughter, Eudora plays along. Rose presents Stanley with a drawing of the three of them on the carousel and promises to make one for Eudora depicting one of their next adventures. Eudora has a moment of sadness, remembering that if all goes according to her original plan, she won’t be around for more adventures. She remembers Dr. Greta’s words: “Life is precious and as long as we have a reason to continue, we should follow that path” (235).

A flashback to 1961 shows Beatrice and Eudora settled into their life together. As Beatrice knit some outfits for Sylvia’s expected baby, Eudora felt jealous that her mother never bestowed that maternal care on her. However, things were going better at the bank; Patrick Nicholson had been fired, making Eudora’s job more secure.

Then Stella called. She was pregnant and Eddie was drinking too much. Stella wanted Eudora to help her, and Eudora looked at the picture of her father and thought about his request that she look after Beatrice and Stella: “I said I would, but I didn’t realize you meant forever. I thought you’d come back. I didn’t know I’d have to do it alone” (241).

Eudora and Rose attend Stanley’s birthday celebration: a barbecue with his family. They meet Stanley’s granddaughters, Livvy and Ellie, who are full of life. Eudora and the girls discuss the birth of little sisters, and Rose asks about Stella. Eudora is evasive, but she says she loved Stella when she was young and that Rose’s energy reminds her of Stella. Rose mentions growing up to be as old as Livvy and Ellie, and Eudora is saddened, realizing that she won’t be around for that if she follows through with her assisted suicide plan. When she arrives home to find a message from Petra on her answering machine, she decides not to call back.

Eudora goes for a swim but is feeling particularly tired. When she runs into Hannah also coming out of the recreation center, she is grateful for the ride home that Hannah offers her. They talk more about the significance of choosing your own death, and Hannah says, “Then you should embrace life for as long as possible—cherish and value it. I don’t know you very well, but I’ve seen you with Rose and can tell you have a special friendship. You’re one of the lucky ones. Wouldn’t you say?” (250).

Eudora is relaxing at home when Rose frantically rings the doorbell, telling Eudora that the baby is coming and that Maggie needs Eudora’s help.

A flashback to 1961 shows Eudora excited to go over to Sylvia’s house and spend time with Sylvia’s baby, Philip. Sylvia and Ken had asked Eudora to be Philip’s godmother. When Eudora arrived, though, Sylvia had bad news: Ken had received a promotion but was being relocated to Canada. Both Sylvia and Eudora knew that it would be difficult to visit each other or keep in touch after the move.

When she returned to her house, Eudora saw a policeman outside. He explained that he came to tell Beatrice that Stella had died after falling down the stairs. Her unborn child did not survive. Eddie, who had pushed Stella down the stairs, was in police custody. Eudora was horrified and felt guilty because she did not help Stella when Stella called: “Eudora knew, from that moment onward, that the choice she’d made would haunt her until the day she died” (259).

Eudora arrives at Rose’s house to find Maggie in full labor. The midwife is on her way, but it doesn’t look like she’ll make it in time. Eudora tells Rose to grab some towels and boil some water. Then Eudora helps deliver the baby. Maggie and the baby are doing well by the time the midwife arrives.

After the midwife cuts the cord, Eudora and Rose hold the baby, Daisy. Eudora feels that coming to the rescue of Maggie and Daisy absolves her a little for failing to help Stella and her baby. Delighted and wanting to share the news, Eudora calls Petra, who is happy to hear the news and to know that Eudora called her.

The narrative flashes back to 1961. It was stormy the day of Stella’s funeral, much like her tumultuous life. Beatrice refused to come, so Eudora was the only family at the service. She felt a heavy weight of guilt, believing she should have intervened and saved Stella.

Sam Buchanan approached her at the funeral and walked with her through the cemetery afterward. He and his wife had divorced, and he asked Eudora if they could stay in touch. Eudora agreed.