On a heavy Chicago afternoon in June, with the world locked away in COVID quarantine, Gunnar Branson stood alone outside a garage. He watched as his wife, college-aged daughter, and two cats drove away. A thirty-year marriage ended while he stood in the alley. Dark thunderheads loomed overhead, alternating with bursts of hot sun. A light breeze fluttered the linden tree.At a certain age, it's easy to believe that most of the light is behind you. Or at least, that's what Gunnar thou...

What happens after everything ends?On a heavy Chicago afternoon in June, with the world locked away by COVID quarantines, Gunnar Branson stood alone outside a garage. He watched his wife, college-aged daughter, and two cats drive away. A thirty-year marriage ended as he stood in the alley. Dark thunderheads loomed overhead, alternating with bursts of hot sun. A light breeze fluttered the linden tree. Story over.But maybe not.There are answers to be found in the past...