by Mary Abshire
“Afternoon, neighbor,” said the man approaching from his left.
Although he stood as tall as Andrew, he had a leaner build. He’d dressed in a red polo shirt and beige pants. His short dark hair had quite a bit of gray mixed in. The crow’s feet near his eyes led Andrew to believe the guy was at least in his late forties, maybe fifties. Andrew had seen him a few times sitting in a rocking chair at the house next door. He’d waved and the man had returned the greeting.
“Afternoon,” Andrew said as he rose.
“My name is David Crossman.” He offered his hand and Andrew accepted it. “Call me Dave. I saw you move in a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t drop by to introduce myself since I thought you might need a little time to adjust. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Andrew Webster, and no, I’m taking a break. Would you like to have a seat with me?”
“Sure.” Dave sat at the other end of the wide staircase. “I noticed you’ve been working day and night since you moved in.”
“The house needs a lot of work. I gutted the kitchen and replaced just about everything. The last couple of days I’ve been painting inside. Today I finished. As you can see, I have the windows open to air the rooms out. I still need to replace a few things, put carpet upstairs, and get some furniture. The balcony and porch needs painted too. I decided to take a break before I start.”
“I kept wondering when I’d get a neighbor. The house has been vacant since I moved here. I’d peeked into the windows a few times and had noticed it needed some TLC.”
“My counselor offered me three homes to choose from. I really liked this one, but he’d told me it needed fixed up. I’m not a craftsman at all. My background is in nursing. But he’d said he would get me any supplies I needed.”
“The counselors are nice. Mine checks in with me once a year now.”
“How long have you been here?”
“This will make my seventh summer. I died of a heart attack. I’m waiting for my wife to join me. She’ll be seventy-two in September. She’s thirteen years older than me.”
“Wow, you’ve been waiting seven years?”
Dave nodded. “The first several months were the most difficult. I remember how depressed I was. I didn’t want to do anything but stare at the ocean. I miss her still, but I’m not sad anymore. I know this sounds strange, but I don’t feel much of anything except the love I have for her.”
“That’s normal. I hadn’t realized the differences between heaven and Earth until they’d sent me back.”
“You were sent back?” he asked with his brows scrunched together.
“I originally died in 1989. I spent twenty-seven years here in heaven having fun and sewing my wild oats, if you know what I mean. Someone complained to the council a few times. They’d punished me twice before they decided to return me to Earth. I had to destroy six demons and an extra year would be added to my stay for each woman I had sex with. Well, I met this incredible woman. She wasn’t like any other I’d ever met.”
“Let me guess, you fell in love?”
Andrew nodded. “She changed me and made me a better man. I’d do anything for her. It took her a while to realize we were destined for each other. On Earth, I went through a lot of emotions while she worked with me—frustration, anger, jealousy, love, regret, sadness… Everything felt ten times stronger than I remembered from my previous stay in heaven. And now that I’m back, I feel the emotions dissipating except for the love I have for her. I think of her all the time. The heartache and misery I had felt isn’t crippling me like it had when I’d first arrived.”
“That is an incredible story. And I had no idea emotions could … dissolve. I noticed other things like hair doesn’t grow and we don’t age.”
“The food and drinks don’t taste the same here either.”
“Really?” He shook his head. “I guess I hadn’t noticed.”
“Unless you are sentenced to Earth, you wouldn’t know the difference. My body was alive again. I could taste food and beer. My hair grew, so I had to shave. I had put on a few pounds too since I got out of my workout routine.”
Dave chuckled. “I guess there are some advantages in heaven. I don’t miss shaving and I’m glad I can eat whatever I want.”
“There’s always some trade-offs.”
Dave grinned. “I had no idea heaven could return people.”
“As far as I know, it’s used as a means of punishment.”
“That’s interesting.” He twisted and looked at the house. “Are you fixing up the house for your wife?”
“Yes. Before I left she said she wanted a home on a beach. I don’t know when I’ll see her again, but I want to be ready. I keep hoping my appeal will come through so I can see my baby, but I haven’t received any kind of response.”
“Wait, did you say baby?”
“My wife is due in a few weeks. I was supposed to be with her through late October, but the demon I was trying to destroy set off a bomb. That’s how I ended up here again. I pleaded for the council to return me, but they decided I should stay. I’ve mailed appeals weekly, but I don’t think anyone cares. I’ll never get to see my one and only child.”
“That’s horrible. I can’t believe they won’t send you back to see your baby.”
“It doesn’t seem right, but there’s nothing else I can do. I even asked my counselor to check into the matter. He said his calls aren’t being returned. If the big boss won’t let me go, then I’m stuck here.”
“Andrew, I’m so sorry.” Dave shook his head. “That’s so sad.”
Andrew shifted his gaze to the beach. “There’s nothing more I can do other than prepare for my wife someday.”
“I understand,” Dave said in low tone.
“How long were you married, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Twenty-five years.”
Andrew’s eyes widened. “That’s a long time.”
“We met at a restaurant while I was in the air force. I was on leave in North Carolina and went into town. She was a waitress. I was smitten when I saw her. We flirted and talked. I spent the entire day in the restaurant drinking tea. When she got off work, she sat and she stayed to chat with me. We exchanged numbers and addresses before we went our separate ways. I got back to the base and tossed my clothes in my hamper, forgetting her information was in my pocket. A buddy was washing laundry the next morning. He grabbed mine to add to his. When my pants came back, the writing on the note had disappeared.”
“You’re kidding?” Andrew asked.
“I wish. I didn’t run into her until four years later. I’d served in the first Gulf War for a year. When I came home I decided it was time to get a job and settle down. I moved to the east coast and found her working in a restaurant as a waitress. She hadn’t contacted me all those years because she’d set the note with my credentials on a table with her tips before she went to bed. Her roommate came home late and had stolen everything. Casey never found my note.”
Andrew stared with awe. “Now that is an incredible story of fate.”
“We had three kids and one grandchild. I think about them all the time, but mostly I think about my wife. She had a great smile. She loved the ocean. Sometimes I’ll spend hours gazing at it and remembering the times we shared together. Thinking about her always brings me joy. One day I know she’ll join me and we can be happy together again.”
Andrew smiled. “Twenty-five years, three kids, and one grandchild. That’s amazing. Good for you.”
If Andrew had been married that long to Emily he would’ve produced more kids and made her the happiest wife ever.
“We had our share of struggles. All married couples do, but if you truly love each other then you listen and work together. I can’t imagine what my life would’ve been like without her.”
Andrew lowered his gaze as his thoughts turned to Emily. He wished he could’ve had more time with her. They hadn’t even shared a year together.
“I can’t imagine how
difficult it must be for you to be here instead of with your pregnant wife,” Dave said. “Reflecting on the time I shared with mine helped me overcome my grief. I’m grateful I had a loving woman for twenty-five years. I thank the Lord every day for bringing us together.”
Andrew considered Dave’s words and thought about what the council had told him. They’d confirmed they had intended for Emily to find Andrew the night of his return to Earth. The council had to receive their instructions from someone higher up in the chain of command. There had been no guarantee Andrew would fall in love with Emily, but he had. His life had meaning with her. She gave him purpose and filled him with so much love he wanted to please her forever. If he hadn’t met her, he doubted he would’ve ever changed his ways or found true happiness. Yes, he was very thankful God had returned him to Earth and had planned for him and Emily to meet. And if he had to wait five or fifty years, he would. His heart would always belong to her.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt your work,” Dave said before he stood. “I’m not much of a handyman, but if you need help, I’m willing to try.”
“Can you lift a paint brush or roller?”
Dave grinned. “That I know how to do very well. I must have painted rooms in my old house at least four times.”
Andrew rose. “If you don’t mind, I could use extra hands.”
“I’m glad to help out.”
Andrew climbed the steps up to the porch. He believed more than ever God brought people together. What were the odds of two men living alone in beach houses, waiting for their wives? At least Andrew and Dave now had each other to comfort until their loved ones arrived.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Emily sat upright on the examination table with the help of the female nurse. “Thank you.”
The gal with fine sandy-brown hair past her shoulders wore scrubs with Peanuts characters. She smiled at Emily. “Not much longer until you’ll be able to get up on your own and see your feet again.”
Emily pressed her lips together. Her level of nervousness increased with her due date approaching. While she eagerly wanted to return to her normal size and do things without any assistance, she feared she wouldn’t be able to take proper care of such a small defenseless creature. Babies were delicate and couldn’t communicate their troubles other than through cries. What if it didn’t want to eat? What if it ate too much? What if she strapped it in the car seat too tight or too loose? What if she clipped the nails too short? What if she accidentally hurt it? What if it got sick? What if it were born with cancer or some illness? Her worries continued to consume her thoughts.
Doctor Franklin sat on the small rolling stool near the desk. She finished writing in Emily’s folder and then twisted to face her. "Everything looks good. According to the information you gave us and the growth of the baby, I’d say your right on schedule. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go into labor early or past your due date. If you start to have labor pains, monitor them. Of course, if your water breaks, go to the hospital. Go ahead and make an appointment for next week before you leave just in case you don’t go into labor."
“Okay. Thank you,” Emily said before she slid from the edge of the table. Her dress rolled down to her ankles.
As the doctor and nurse left, she gathered her purse from the nearby chair. Relief swam through her. News about the baby’s good health always pleased her. Wobbling, thanks to the heavy weight in her womb, she left the room. She stopped at the counter near the exit and scheduled another appointment.
After she’d finished, she stepped from the back of the office and into the waiting area. Matt rose from his seat with a wide grin on his face. His excitement surpassed hers with the upcoming birth. If she didn’t have so many concerns, she would have felt overjoyed too. He hurried to the door before she could reach it.
“She said the baby looks healthy,” Emily said as she passed him. She stepped into the bright sun and the rays warmed her exposed arms.
“Did you find out about the sex?” he asked, walking beside her to the Jeep.
“Can you believe the baby had its legs crossed again?”
At every appointment the ultrasound had showed the baby at the wrong angle or with crossed legs. It seemed she would have to wait to learn the gender.
“Well, it doesn’t matter,” he said, stopping at the passenger door. He opened it for her. “As long as it is healthy, that is what counts.”
She nodded before she climbed into the vehicle with his help. She really couldn’t wait to pop the babe out and go back to doing things on her own.
“I’m not concerned with the color of clothes anyway,” she said after he settled into the driver’s seat. She strapped the seatbelt above her large belly. “I didn’t buy many pink outfits. Girls can wear blue. I don’t plan to take him or her out much for the first couple of weeks anyway. The onesies will suffice. I can buy the real clothes later.”
“Does the doctor think you’ll deliver on time?” he asked after he’d backed out of the parking spot.
“Yeah, but she said the baby could come sooner or later. If I start having contractions, I should monitor them.”
She wished Andrew were around to help her with labor. His nursing skills would’ve come in handy. They’d planned for him to help deliver the baby. Now, she had to rely on strangers. But she’d agreed to let Matt be in the room. This was his chance to be a father and he’d more than earned it.
He steered onto the main road from the doctor’s office lot. The traffic had increased with the noon hour approaching. A line of cars sat idle from the stoplight, forcing Matt to brake.
“Are you hungry?” Matt asked.
“Yeah, but let’s wait until we get closer to home. And I’m in the mood for Chinese.”
“I can stop at the one restaurant two blocks from the house.”
“That sounds good.”
The baby kicked hard and she flinched a little.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She rubbed over the spot. Since they were stopped, she grabbed his hand and put it on her stomach. “This baby is strong.”
It nudged her again and Matt’s eyes widened. “It sure is. Maybe it’s a boy. Andrew had quite a bit of muscle.” He returned his hand to the wheel as the cars began to move.
“Could be.”
She recalled the many times Andrew would rub his hand over her belly. A few times he’d referred to the baby as her instead of it or him. She’d thought it strange and had wondered if he had some secret intuition. But even more bizarre was the fact the baby refused to give her a hint about its gender.
The row of cars cleared and they made it through the light. Matt continued on a path through town.
“Did she say if you should stop going on walks?” he asked.
“No, and I forgot to ask. I would think it’s okay since the babe is healthy.”
“Do you want to go to the park later?” He turned onto a larger road with two lanes on each side.
“Yeah, I wobble, but I enjoy the walks. They help clear my head.” All her fears and worries disappeared when she could sit at the top of one of the small mountains and gaze at the world below. Now more than ever she needed to remain calm and at peace.
Cars and trucks flew by as Matt accelerated. Foot heavy on the pedal, he pushed the Jeep past the speed limit for a few miles and then changed lanes so he could turn at the light. She braced her hand on the dashboard as he braked to reach the middle of the intersection. A midsize delivery truck and a semi cruised toward them. The baby kicked again and she hunched over slightly.
“Okay, I’m guessing the babe is hungry or something because—”
She lost her train of thought and speech as a loud smash came from the back and shoved the Jeep forward. Her head jerked and hit the cushion behind it. Gaze now up, the delivery truck on the other side of the road was speeding directly into the path of her vehicle. She took a deep breath as the large vehicle rammed into her side. Glass shattered and metal grinded from the force o
f the impact. Pain seared her hand and shot up her arm. The airbag on the door burst and she bounced against it. When her head hit something hard, darkness swallowed her.
“Emily! Emily!” said a familiar voice.
A thick fog clouded her thoughts.
“Emily!” the man said again.
She felt as if she were in a deep sleep and dreaming. But she needed to get up. She had something important to take care of. She forced her way through the murkiness.
“Someone call 911. She’s pregnant and needs an ambulance,” the man said in an urgent tone. “Someone please call now!”
She tried to recall his voice. She’d heard it recently. She’d been talking to him. The haze in her mind began to lessen and she recognized the man as a friend. Why did he sound distressed?
“Hey,” said a different voice. “Wake up.” He had an accent.
She felt taps on her shoulder.
“Wake up, Emily,” the man with the accent said.
She’d heard the British man before too, but couldn’t place where. Something about it concerned her. She forced her heavy eyelids to open. A haze clouded her vision.
“Snap out of it,” the man with the accent said.
She blinked to clear her eyes. Slowly, she lifted her head and it felt as if it weighed as much as an elephant. Her gaze began to clear and what she saw frightened her. The dashboard had been crushed with her hand in it and shoved too close to her body, not that she could see anything past her breasts. A deflated airbag from the side hid most of her arm. The windows in the front and next to her no longer existed.
“Look at me,” the British man said.
Inch by slow inch she turned her head. The man standing outside added beats to her heart, and not in a good way. Panic rose within her as she recognized Steven.
“You,” she said.
“Paybacks are a bitch. Am I right?” Steven said.
Her heart pounded. She tried to move and a world of pain she’d never experienced shot through her right side. She screamed as tiny sharp knives sliced and diced at her hand and forearm. Her leg throbbed and burned.