Beer Can symbolism.

The beer can is a symbol of death and belief. It is in the story “Willa.” When Willa tells David they died when the train in which they were riding derailed, David at first argues. He tells Willa that he kicked a beer can when he was walking to the bar where he found her. He seems to believe this ability to change the location of a solid object means that he cannot be dead. When they walk back to the train station, however, David sees that the can is in its original location. It was only a result of his expectations and perception that he was able to move it. David believes Willa after seeing the can, but he still has trouble seeing the truth.