Dimensions of Genesis

by Q. Lee, Danielle

  Plopping down on the warm sand, Lily patted the spot beside her, inviting Gabe to sit with her. Polishing the sand off of her engagement ring, she turned and smiled at Gabe.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too, my Lily.” He said smiling, his blue eyes watering as he gazed at her.

  Lily then flopped backwards and began waving her arms and legs in the sand.

  “What on earth are you doing?” Gabe asked, noticing passers-by gawking at her like she was a mental patient.

  “Making a sand angel.” She giggled.

  Shrugging, Gabe flung backwards and began making his own, much larger, sand angel. Carefully standing up, both stood back to admire their work. Two perfect angels formed in the sand, one very short and one very tall.

  For hours they combed the beach searching for sea shells to fill Lily’s basket. After it was full, they walked to the hotel to wash up for a late lunch.

  After a refreshing shower, Gabe asked. “Hey honey, what do think about hiking up to my old house this afternoon?”

  Considering it as she lay sprawled out on the hotel bed, Lily then asked, “Do you feel like you're...ready?”

  Thinking about all he'd learned about his mother's affair and father's dark past, he replied, “Yes...I think so.”

  “Gabe?”

  “Yes sweetie.”

  “Um, what kind of shape is your old house in? I mean...after the murder, did someone...clean up?” She inquired nervously.

  Gabe's eyes shadowed over a little as he responded, “I'm not sure, we left that night. The police may have cleaned up.”

  “Oh.” She replied, her voice hesitant.

  “Honey, you don't have to come in with me...I...just need to say good-bye, to some old ghosts.” He looked at her sincerely as he reached out and touched her hand.

  After getting Lily an afternoon snack, they hailed a cab to take them to the outskirts of town. From there, they had to hike two miles up a grassy hill.

  On the way, Gabe showed Lily his old fishing spot and where he used to hunt rabbits. He showed her his favorite 'thinking' spot under an old laurel tree that overlooked the ocean. She loved the view and especially enjoyed picking the wildflowers.

  Finally, they reached the top of the hill.

  “It's smaller than I remember.” Gabe commented as he laid eyes on his home after so long.

  Years of neglect had allowed the neighboring trees and bushes to swallow up the home into their leafy underbellies, leaving little of the house in view.

  No glass remained in any of the windows and the front door dangled precariously from the top hinge. In its youth, the dainty log cabin glowed with a mahogany hue, but now, the wood had faded to dark gray. Mice and insects had lay claim to the many holes within the rotting wood.

  Gabe didn't realize he'd stopped walking until Lily slowly took his hand in hers. Glancing down at her, he saw concern on her beautiful face.

  “Gabe, you don't have to go in.” She offered gently.

  He contemplated with himself, debating whether or not he was ready to face his demons.

  “I need to.” He responded softly.

  Taking a deep breath, Gabe pushed the broken door aside and prepared himself.

  ~

  Outside, Lily watched nervously as Gabe disappeared into the tiny hovel. She felt cowardly waiting outside, but she just wasn't sure what to expect. If she were to see blood splatters on the wall, she wasn't sure she'd ever sleep again! Besides, she was having enough trouble sleeping with the nightmares plaguing her. Again, last night, she'd had the same dream.

  Shivering, Lily's conscience struggled with her new insecurities. Had she really done evil against Gabe and the church? Did she tempt and seduce him, leading him astray?

  Hugging herself for comfort, she looked at the dark doorway where her love had disappeared, hoping he was okay.

  ~

  As Gabe entered the old cottage, it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. The overgrowth of trees and bushes outside were so thick around the windows that light was smothered as it tried to break through.

  A dank, musty smell invaded his nostrils while gossamer cobwebs licked at his face. As Gabe's eyes focused, he saw what remained of his home. The tiny kitchen was covered with sheets of dust and leaves. A table and chairs still remained, though only the table was standing. All the chairs had been toppled over and most were in pieces.

  The house looked much like it did the day his family left. After the murder, his mother took the children to stay with their grandparents. She returned to the cottage later, to talk to the police and salvage a few items.

  Gabe stood motionless, staring at the spot on the floor where he'd last seen his father. Pain surged through his heart as he relived those moments. Surrounded by memories of the past, he wept for his loss.

  Sensing a presence behind him, he wiped the dampness from his face. Slightly embarrassed, he turned around, expecting to see Lily in the doorway. As he spun around, however, he saw no one. Confused, he shook his head and decided to check out the two bedrooms located at the back of the house.

  The floorboards groaned as he walked down the hall. The walls, weathered with stains of water damage, seemed to narrow as he neared the bedrooms. To the left was his parents’ room. The bed and dresser stood like sentinel soldiers in the spot they were abandoned. Even the bed, made that morning, seemed to await the return of its slumbering masters.

  To the right of Gabe was his old room, which he'd shared with his two siblings. A bunk bed hugged the far wall, the top bunk left in a disheveled state by Gabe himself. The bottom bunk, shared by Anna and Dimitris, had a tiny abandoned teddy hiding under the covers.

  A picture hung on the wall, coated with years of dust and mildew. It was a photograph of his father holding a prize winning fish. A proud grin graced his father's face as he showed off his fishing talents.

  As Gabe stared at the picture, a painful lump formed in his throat. Touching the photo gently with the back of his finger, he lightly wiped away the dust that had accumulated on his father's face.

  Deciding to take the picture with him, Gabe removed it from the wall. As he looked at it, he again felt eyes watching him from behind. Spinning around, anticipating Lily, he was surprised to see no one there.

  He then had a terrible idea; maybe his father's spirit was not at rest and still wandered the remains of this old house.

  I should bless the house, just in case.

  Closing his eyes, he prayed to the God he hoped would still hear him.

  “Father in Heaven, please bless this home in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.” he said aloud as he made the sign of the cross. “Please help any souls that may be stuck in this house find peace and move on to your kingdom. Please forgive my father for any sins he may have committed and guide him into everlasting life. Amen.”

  The moment Gabe had finished his prayer, he felt a sensation wrap itself around him that could only be described as...a hug. A hug from an unseen force that sent shivers of love throughout his body. He felt he'd released his father from an undead nightmare.

  Feeling peace within his soul for the first time since his father's death, Gabe smiled with fresh tears pouring down his cheeks.

  “Good-bye Dad.” He said as he turned and walked out of the room.

  ~

  Outside, Lily waited anxiously for Gabe. He'd been in there for a very long time and she had terrible thoughts of him falling through the decrepit floorboards and breaking his leg or something. She strained her ears to hear any movement within the house, but could hear nothing.

  Finally, after several tense moments, he emerged through the broken door. Lily sighed and smiled with relief, running to hug him. He'd obviously been emotional.

  He showed her the picture of his father and explained the hugging sensation he had felt inside. She was fascinated and a little scared of the potentially haunted house. Lily had never been interested in the paranormal. She could never wa
tch shows that were about ghosts.

  “Can we go back to the hotel now?” Lily asked with a yawn, “I'm tired and hungry.”

  Gabe laughed, “We should get you checked for a tapeworm or something!”

  Glancing back at the old house, his arm around his future, Gabe bid farewell to his past.

  Home Again

  Pouting, Lily packed her clothes into her large black suitcase.

  “I don't want to leave tomorrow.” She said furrowing her brow and pushing out her bottom lip.

  “I know sweetheart, but we can't stay forever...right now anyways.” Gabe hugged her from behind, trying to console her.

  “Can we come back again soon?” Lily asked, her face brightening.

  “As soon as we can...maybe for our honeymoon.” Gabe suggested playfully.

  That did it. She spun around and threw her arms around his shoulders.

  “Oh Gabe! I'm so happy right now! I can't wait to get back and tell our parents!” She continued nattering for hours about details of the wedding. From what her hair would look like to the dresses she wanted Quinn and Sheridan to wear.

  Gabe smiled and nodded eagerly to each of her ideas. A sensation overcame his heart that was warm and full of joy as he pictured every detail of their wedding day.

  Lily--his wife--nothing could make him happier.

  ~

  “Are you okay sweetie?” Gabe asked Lily as he held her long hair away from the toilet.

  “Ughhh...” She moaned pitifully, “I hate flying.”

  Both were cramped into the airplane's tiny washroom.

  “What was I thinking, eating all that spaghetti before we left...this is disgusting!” She said as she gagged.

  Laughing lightly and stroking her head, Gabe wished he could take this discomfort away for her.

  After landing in Brussels, Lily walked around the airport, clutched her ginger ale and muttered obscenities at the airplane.

  Gabe purchased more anti-nausea medication for her, as well as a special bracelet that was designed to push on the pressure points inside her wrist. Thankfully, Lily fell asleep shortly after take-off and remained asleep for the duration of the flight.

  Gabe was reading a novel when he first heard Lily mumbling in her sleep.

  “Please...no...I can't...” Lily murmured, her eyebrows pulling together. “No, no...I'm not evil...please...no.”

  Gabe was stunned to hear Lily talking so negatively within her dream. He continued to listen and heard her utter words like 'slut' and 'whore'. Worried, he decided he would ask her about it after she woke up.

  She awoke just as the pilot was announcing their descent into familiar territory. Gabe was so excited to tell his family of his and Lily's engagement and wedding plans, he forgot to ask her about her dream.

  For the moment, Lily was clutching the seat ahead of her, breathing heavily, trying to settle her queasy stomach. Gabe rubbed her back, but felt quite helpless.

  “I'm okay...I'm okay...” She repeated as though trying to convince herself.

  By the time the wheels touched the ground; Lily had already taken off her seat belt, gathered her things and was pushing her way toward the main exit. Gabe frantically grabbed his backpack from the overhead compartment and followed her.

  “Oh yah, fresh air.” Lily exclaimed as she ran off the airplane into the crisp open air. Breathing deeply, she dropped her things, lifted her arms and hugged the airspace of home.

  “Let's go home!” She said loudly to Gabe, a grin from ear to ear.

  Gabe went inside the airport and retrieved their luggage as Lily frolicked happily outside in the fresh air. He practically had to force her to get into the car when it was time to leave.

  “I just don't want to be cooped up anymore today.” she said, adamant.

  “Will you get in for...some fast food?” Gabe taunted.

  Nodding enthusiastically, she jumped into the car. After a healthy dose of hamburgers and fries, She chattered on and on about all the possible reactions of their families.

  “My mother might faint and Quinn will be mad.” She predicted.

  “My mom will cry, Anna will be thrilled and Dimitris...not sure, he doesn't express emotion well.” Gabe added.

  Pulling into the driveway at Lily's parents’ house, Gabe suddenly felt a little nervous. He hoped all would go smoothly and they could focus on their future without any setbacks.

  Lily bounded out of the car as soon as it stopped and ran toward the house, leaving Gabe running to catch up to her. Thankfully, she stopped to greet Chi Chi, the family St. Bernard on the way by, giving Gabe a chance to catch his breath.

  “Lily, let's try to do this calmly, okay sweetie?” Gabe pleaded.

  “Oh honey, no worries, this is the fun part.” She grinned, dragging him inside.

  “Mama! Papa! Where are you?” Lily yelled when she got into the house.

  “Goodness child! You don't have to yell!” Her mother complained as she hurriedly descended the staircase.

  “Mama! Guess what!” Lily exclaimed. “We're engaged!”

  With her hand on her heart, Maggie's eyes welled up with tears. “Oh my, well, that's just wonderful!”

  “Papa!” Lily shouted excitedly.

  “Land sakes Lily! What's all this racket?” Her father asked coming out of the washroom.

  “Look!” She extended her left hand, showing them her ring.

  “Well, I'll be...” Her father said quietly, tears glistening in his eyes.

  Quinn and Sheridan peeked sheepishly around the kitchen corner. As soon as Lily saw them, she ran up to them.

  “Look Quinny! Look Sheri! Isn't it beautiful?”

  “Congratulations Lily!” Sheridan said with her shy voice. “Gabe.” she added, nodding to him.

  Quinn examined the ring, a look of disdain on her face.

  “Whatever.” she started, “Don't expect me to help with anything.”

  “Quinn!” Maggie glared at her daughter.

  With a smug glance, Quinn stomped out of the room.

  “I'll be happy to help with anything you need.” Sheridan offered.

  Completely unaffected by Quinn's behavior, Lily prattled on for an hour about their trip and how Gabe proposed.

  Gabe's family reacted exactly as predicted. His mother cried, Anna rejoiced and Dimitris, always the quiet one, nodded his approval.

  Lily was beside herself with joy and spent the majority of the evening searching the internet for ideas for the wedding. They decided they wanted it to be a simple, fun outdoor wedding.

  Setting the date for the biggest day of their lives--three weeks from today.

  Crossing Over

  Upon completion of his life review, David analyzed what he'd seen and felt. The light beings, which had been waiting patiently for him outside the sphere, sent him a mental suggestion.

  “Forgiving yourself and others is the best way to move ahead. To dwell on any negativity will impede your progress.”

  Nodding with appreciation to the light beings, he closed his eyes and whispered to himself, “I forgive myself and I forgive all those that have hurt me.”

  David exited the sphere and the light beings guided him to another portal. Unlike the white tunnel he’d seen at his death, this one radiated pure blue. Coaxing him gently forward, David approached the swirling nexus.

  This tunnel was different than the last. The light embraced him, hugged him like an old friend he hadn't seen in twenty years. It was like taking an escalator into Heaven, taking him home.

  Approaching the end of the tunnel, he was delighted to see a familiar figure waiting for him.

  Arms outstretched, his mother embraced him as he reached the top of the portal. Everything about her was as he remembered, except she was vastly younger. She didn't look much more than twenty years old.

  Her scent, her long chestnut hair and her deep blue eyes, she glowed with health and exuberance. It was as though there had never been any cancer, any illness or decay.

 
David wept. Relief spread though him as he cherished this momentous reunion. They held one another for what felt like eternity, lingering in the moment they'd both longed for.

  “Oh, my son! I have missed you!” She said telepathically to him, tears of joy filling her eyes.

  “I missed you too!” He exclaimed, “You look amazing! And so young!”

  Giggling, she led him to a nearby stream.

  “Look.” She suggested, leaning over to look at her own reflection.

  Complying, David bent over the waters. First, he only saw his mother’s youthful reflection smiling back at him. Then he saw his own.

  “What the…!”

  In shock, he slowly raised his hands to his face. Upon leaving Earth, he was a tired; slightly over-weight man in his mid-thirties. The reflection that looked back at him now, was not that man.

  While the reflection resembled the face he knew so well, this one was very young, vibrant and healthy.

  Approximately eighteen, David was surprised at the changes. His blue eyes still remained, but the intensity of them had increased. Once light brown, his hair was now a white blonde. Wrinkles that had marred his Earthly face had vanished completely, leaving only a handsome, baby-face.

  And his body! After so many years of carrying that ‘spare tire’ around his waist, he was flabbergasted as he lifted his shirt and saw a flat, washboard stomach.

  “How?” The new, young David asked, in awe.

  “Aging is a disease on Earth. Here, we revert to our soul age.”

  “Soul age?” He repeated.

  “Yes. Ever heard the term, ‘old soul’?”

  “Yes, often.”

  “Well, it’s very true. On Earth, the soul is still the soul, regardless of the age. A small child can harbor the soul of an ancient being, but you’d never be able to tell by the body.” She explained as David marveled as his new appearance.