Personally, I think the latter, but I'm interested to hear other people's thoughts
The "latter" - I agree.
I'm thinking, as she walked thru the school for the last time, she was being ignored by the school staff - in part - because they didn't want to draw parent attention to the fact they hired a "ghost hunter". They wanted to put all that ugliness (and dead child business) behind them.
Finally, though I'm not totally convinced, outside - at the very end - we see her walking past a small group. She walks on the far side of the group; on the left side of a boy as she says "Hello." and the boy turns toward her - presumably sees her.
Remember, none of the school boys saw Tom's ghost (I think) - only the lonely asthmatic kid who died. Typically ghosts were not visible to the school boys (they had to pretend / mimic).
So, in other words, it's unlikely the kid she walked past would have seen her if she were dead.
I also think she said something like - They will always be with us - even if we don't see them.
I like to think she and soldier boy lived, married and were happy ever after.
But, I don't mind a little ambiguity with the ending (though slightly frustrating).
Reply by MongoLloyd
on January 19, 2020 at 2:46 PM
She's a ghost. That's the twist I guess, from what I remember.
Reply by Joe
on January 19, 2020 at 5:43 PM
But the driver seems to notice she's there
Reply by MongoLloyd
on January 19, 2020 at 10:49 PM
Is the driver a magic negro?
Reply by wilburKlick
on July 26, 2022 at 3:44 PM
The "latter" - I agree.
I'm thinking, as she walked thru the school for the last time, she was being ignored by the school staff - in part - because they didn't want to draw parent attention to the fact they hired a "ghost hunter". They wanted to put all that ugliness (and dead child business) behind them.
Finally, though I'm not totally convinced, outside - at the very end - we see her walking past a small group. She walks on the far side of the group; on the left side of a boy as she says "Hello." and the boy turns toward her - presumably sees her.
Remember, none of the school boys saw Tom's ghost (I think) - only the lonely asthmatic kid who died. Typically ghosts were not visible to the school boys (they had to pretend / mimic).
So, in other words, it's unlikely the kid she walked past would have seen her if she were dead.
I also think she said something like - They will always be with us - even if we don't see them.
I like to think she and soldier boy lived, married and were happy ever after.
But, I don't mind a little ambiguity with the ending (though slightly frustrating).
I was thoroughly entertained.