He was grateful that was not the case with his own religion or era. While he had always enjoyed Marsha, but could NOT fathom seeing her as a spouse or lover in any conceivable future. If the glaring truth be known, he couldn't really see himself tied down with any spouse or full-time lover. He had tried at various heart-throb points in his life, but nothing had clicked just right for him to feel that sense of commitment. Now, facing the loss of his brother, he felt even more disconnected to the world of people.
Death brings up many personal issues for people.
Duncan was discovering that no matter how hard he tried to minimize what was going on, he was struggling himself. He couldn't concentrate at work, which was not at all safe for a man whose job required great attention to detail. When his boss suggested Duncan take a 3 month sabbatical, a company benefit after 10 years of service, he got a bit miffed. Eventually, he saw the wisdom in the timing and straightened out his affairs to be gone temporarily. Duncan had never NOT worked.