How It All Goes Down
Birthday
- Wednesday, September 5 and Thursday, September 6, 2001 (Henry is 8, Clare is 30): Clare goes into labor. Henry calls Gomez and Charisse, asking them to drive them to hospital. Clare is in great pain. After being anesthetized, she spends the night there. Henry keeps popping in and out of time but is there when she gives birth to Alba the next morning.
- When Henry's father, Richard, comes to visit, Henry tells him that Alba will be a violinist and needs a teacher. Richard takes to the idea. "It's a pleasure to see him… realize that someone needs him" (2.15.79).
- Tuesday, September 11, 2001 (Clare is 30, Henry is 38):Clare and Henry watch the tragic events of September 11th unfold onscreen.
- Tuesday, June 11, 2002 (Clare is 31): Clare draws sleeping Alba in her studio. The drawing serves as a record of love and time: "I loved you, I made you, and I made this for you – long after I'm gone, Henry is gone, and even Alba is gone. It will say, we made you, and here you are, here and now" (2.16.95).