Mike neared the exit to the park but he tripped and fell. When he finally got up what he saw filled his heart with terror. Instead of the park, or the street, Mike saw an endless lake of boiling oil. In the lake was a countless supply of phantom-like bodies all moaning and groaning. They were all climbing on top of each other in a concerted effort to not be submerged in the molten pit.
“Mike baby, are you ok?” asked Laura, catching up to her man.
“Yeah baby, I’m, I’m… What did I just see?” Mike asked the stranger who appeared next to Laura.
“Mike, you saw what might be waiting for you. Mike, Laura, you are being tested to see what’s truly in your hearts. Your choices will determine your fate for eternity. Your lives were taken tragically by evil men. If you repay evil with evil,” the stranger paused, looking at both their faces. “Then you better practice your lava backstroke…”
“Will you stop joking? This is our souls at stake here,” screamed Laura in frustration.
“I’m sorry Laura. I truly feel your pain. I joke because your choices are so simple. But only you can make them.”
Laura turned to Mike with tears in her eyes and said, “Mike, you’re my love and I’m yours, let’s just forget our anger and move on baby. I think we both know what our choice has to be. I want to walk through the Pearly Gates with you, and besides I can’t swim for shit.”
The couple turned to the stranger, who smiled then suddenly vanished.
“Mike, why did we walk this way?” asked Laura as they headed home to discuss the news the stranger gave them.
“I just wanted to see the old hood one last time, baby. That’s all. We’ve lived here all our lives. Let’s just say goodbye.”
While walking through their old haunts, they went around a corner that they have a thousand times before.
“Oh shit! There goes those murdering muthafuckas!” shouted Mike, referring to Black Rob and Pretty Boy. They were coming out of an apartment building. “I got something for…” Feeling a hand on his Mike turned to see Laura. Her tears melted Mike’s heart, and his anger went too. He looked at his murderers again then at his woman. He held her and said, “Let’s go, baby.”
Chapter 09
“Ok we’re ready anytime you are,” shouted Mike.
He and Laura were sitting on their bench in their favorite park.
“Michael, stop that your ass is gonna get struck by lightning.”
“But baby, the stranger said if we choose to forgive our killers that we would pass our test and move on, at least that’s the way I read our conversation. We saw those bastards and just walked away. So why are we still among the living?”
“I don’t know, baby. But there must be a reason,” answered Laura.
“Laura, any more water in that bottle?”
“Yeah baby…”
Mike thought about the bottle at the end of the bench. It floated into his hand.
“Making things move is really cool, baby. Let me see if I can lift up your skirt.”
The couple discovered advantages being among the half-dead. They possessed special gifts like being able to move extremely fast, and limited telepathic powers to move small objects. The best perk was being able to make love for hours, enjoying endless supply of orgasms.
“Listen horny man, stop playing. We have to find out what’s left for us to do,” said Laura, pulling down her skirt that was now floating around her waist.
“Baby I don’t know what’s left, but I know what I want to do.”
“What Michael?”
“While we’re still here let’s put a little monkey wrench in Black Rob’s organization. You down?”
“Let’s do it baby,” said Laura, looking at Mike and reading his thoughts.
Mike and Laura waded through the hood. Finally, they stopped at house used as a major stash spot for Black Rob’s illegal drugs. At the back of the house, they looked through a window and saw what they were looking for.
In the house were ten totally naked women standing around a table. They were all packaging coke and dope for Black Rob’s enterprise. He had them working in the nude because he trusted nobody. It was a method of cutting down on drugs coming up short. Rob even had his workers’ vaginas and anuses checked before they left the house, in case they had a coochie full of coke or a crack full of crack.
Laura noticed that the stove was on and all four burners were at full blast. She told Mike that a nice fire is what they needed. Mike saw that curtains were covering a window on the other side of the room. He tried to imagine moving the curtains to the stove, but couldn’t.
“Come on Laura, concentrate with me, baby.”
They began to think hard about moving the curtains. Mike started to chant softly.
“What the hell, are you some type of Tibetan monk? What’s with the chanting? Just think harder, screwball,” said Laura, laughing at her man.
“Okay, let’s concentrate.”
The curtains slowly started rising from the rods and hooks. Undetected the curtains slid along the ceiling.
“That’s it baby, keep thinking.”
Almost instantly flames leaped up as the curtains touched the stove.
“Oh shit! Fire! Fire! Let’s get the hell out of here!” screamed a chick with a mound of bushy pubic hairs.
“What about the dope, Karen?” asked a petite black woman.
“Fuck that, I ain’t burning up for another nigger’s shit. I’m out.”
The workers all ran out the door leading to the front of the house. One of the last women to leave took a large bag of coke and shoved it inside her vagina. She left wobbling.
“Oh fuck, Laura, did you see that chick? She must be fucking elephants, and donkeys, damn!”
Watching the dope go up in flames brought joy to the couple. They were relieved to see everyone made it out in time. For the next several hours they visited similar stash houses, and using different methods of their telepathic gift, they sabotaged nearly all of Black Rob’s stash houses.
“That was fun baby. Well, I feel a lot better. We might never stop the drug dealings forever, but that should put a big dent in Rob’s pockets.”
Laura and Mike walked through the projects. They passed by Stack Money’s building. The couple stopped dead in their tracks as they glanced by the benches in front of Stack’s building. Walking around just in front of them looking crazed and confused, was Stack Money.
“Mike isn’t that Stack? I thought those men said that he was dead.”
“I don’t know, baby. They said that Old School killed him on some payback shit. Maybe they heard wrong,” replied Mike, looking baffled.
The couple stood there talking and heard laughter.
“Oh shit, so I really am dead, or can I see ghosts. What’s up you two?” greeted Stack Money, walking over to Mike and Laura. He had a twisted and dangerous look on his face. “Boy you two look damn good for corpses,” laughed Stack Money.
“You murdering muthafucka…!”
Mike was about to charge Stack Money, but Laura grabbed him by his arm and said, “Mike baby, no wait, we can’t…”
Mike stopped and stared at Stack Money but stayed put.
“Ain’t that a bitch? I kill you two, and badass Mike ain’t gonna do shit. I see you still got your bitch running your show, nigga,” said Stack Money. “Get this, I killed you two, and Old School killed me. You might not want your revenge but I damn sure am gonna get mine.”
“Revenge for what?”
The three one-time friends turned around and saw the stranger sitting on a bench.
“Who the fuck is you?” inquired Stack Money.
“Let’s just say that I’m your tour guide. Where you decide to vacation eternally is totally up to you.”
“What the fuck is you talking about? Looking like a damn penguin in that suit and shit…”
“He’s talking about eternity and choices Stack, yours and ours. You killing School will only get you condemned to an eternity in the pit of hell.
Let it go man, we have,” said Mike trying to reason with his murderer.
Laughing hysterically, Stack Money angrily said, “Damn! You got it fucked up, baby-boy. School killed me because of you two. So before I get him, I got a score to settle with your asses. Far as that birthstone and fire shit, freeze that. I ain’t having it!”
“Actually Mr. Stack, it’s brimstone and fire,” corrected the stranger.
“Yeah, brimstone this,” Stack closed his eyes and pointed his hand at Laura and Mike.
“Stack Money think about what you’re about to do. There’s no second chance,” warned the stranger, moving closer.
“Fuck that homey, Stacks don’t forgive shit,” said Stack Money.
Then he used the same powers Mike and Laura had to hurl objects at the couple. He threw garbage cans, benches, and anything that wasn’t nailed down firmly, all came soaring in the direction of the unprotected couple.
Debris was hitting him, Mike looked over at Laura. She was ducking and dodging flying objects. Mike ran toward Stack Money, but before he got very far he heard Laura scream. He stopped cold in his tracks and turned to witness a pointed tree branch lodged in Laura’s throat. She was gasping for breath. Mike ran over to her and held her. She looked into his eyes and he saw the light dimming in her eyes. He glanced at the stranger who was walking toward Stack Money.
“Laura baby, come on get up baby. How can you be hurt? We’re already dead. This can’t be happening.”
Tears streamed down Mike’s cheeks. Laura smiled at her life partner and whispered in his ears.
“It’s okay, baby. It will only be for a short while. You’ll be right behind me. Hurry up, boo,” said Laura, vanishing.
Mike was left lying there, his outstretched hands were empty. The stranger walked over to him.
“But how…?” asked the shaken Mike.
Looking at Mike the stranger said sadly, “It’s complicated Michael. You see, you, Laura and Stack Money are just partially dead. Living in a state of limbo amongst the living… Spirits in transition can actually harm each other. I’m sorry Mike, but believe me, Laura is in no pain. She passed her test and will be blessed with everlasting happiness.”
Laughter came from the building as the stranger spoke to Mike. Mike turned to see Stack Money laughing.
“Oh Michael, I love you, it’ll be okay,” said Stack, mimicking Laura’s last words.
Before the stranger could stop him, Mike ran over to Stack Money at super speed, thrusting his hand right through Stack Money’s chest. Like a sword going through him, Stack Money heart went through his back.
“Ah, ugh, ah,” murmured Stack, looking down at Mike’s arm sticking out of his chest. “Damn Mike, I didn’t think you still had it in you. Well player, looks like we both failed. See you downstairs, baby.”
Stack Money fell to the ground, and his body absorbed into the earth. Mike stood there until a cool breeze hit him. The stranger stood by his side and looked at him with a disappointed stare.
“I know, I know, I fucked up. I just lost it man. Seeing my baby die in my arms was too much for me. I’m ready when you are, just make sure you take care of my boo.”
Chapter 10
Mike and Laura knew what their choice had to be. If they chose wisely they would have been given a second chance in their afterlife. The couple’s love and dedication for each other was so strong that even when facing their murderer, they chose to forgive them and save their immortal souls. An eternity of peace and loving each other was in their grasp, but then evil forces robbed them of their everlasting happiness. Or did it?
Losing his companion, Laura, and realizing that he was condemned to the hellfire, was enough to leave Mike walking the streets aimlessly. Lost in mournful thoughts, Mike walked and thought about his fate. A smile encompassed his face.
He knew that Laura, the only person on this planet that he truly worshipped, would not have to share his fate. Mike’s wanderings brought him, not surprisingly back to the park. He sat on his and Laura’s favorite bench. Mike leaned back and looked up into the sky.
“Baby, remember when we first met at the survivor seminar? Damn! I was hooked from the jump. I never told you this, but from that first moment I’ve been falling deeper and deeper in love with you every day of our life together. Sometimes when you’re in bed asleep, I’d lay next to you wondering how I could possibly love someone so completely. There wasn’t one moment in our lives together that I regretted being your man. You have made my life complete. I’ll always be grateful to God for bringing us together. Baby, remember how we used to laugh together, cry together, love together and hell we even died together. Laura thank you for loving me so thoroughly,” whispered Mike smiling. “I’m really gonna miss your sick sense of humor and that gorgeous smile. I’ll especially miss that platinum pussy of yours. If you can hear me, I’ll love you even after the sun burns out. If there’s a way, I’ll find you and we’ll be together again. I promise my love.”
Mike held his head down and felt a strong breeze blow by him. He looked around and saw nothing. Suddenly the stranger appeared next to him on the bench.
“Oh, what’s up? I’ve kinda been expecting you. Thanks for everything, man. I know that you were rooting for us all along and I appreciate it. Word…”
The stranger turned around and Mike got a good look at his face. There was a black eye on his mug.
“Damn! Who hit you player? I didn’t know you angels got down like that,” laughed Mike.
“We don’t. It’s your insane woman. She’s going bananas upstairs. When she found out that you failed your test and wouldn’t be joining her. Excuse my expression, but all hell broke loose.”
“I hope you didn’t hurt my woman, or I’ll…”
“Hurt her? Look at me, man. She’s decking everyone around her. Mike your woman loves you without reason, it’s scary. Laura demanded to talk to the Father personally. She threatened to turn heaven upside down, and personally I believe she’d try.”
“That’s my girl, a real trooper. What will happen now?” asked Mike.
“Laura did have her one-on-one with The Boss. That has not happened since Moses climbed the rock. Anyway, she stated her case and it looks like you two will be together again.”
“Word…? You mean the big man is gonna forgive me, and let me into heaven?”
The stranger then got up and walked a few feet before saying, “Not exactly Michael. You see Laura was ready to give up her place in heaven to join you in the pit.”
“Hell no, that shit ain’t gonna happen. My baby stays where she is. She deserves an eternity with nothing but happiness.”
“That’s just it Mike, Laura would rather die in the pit with you than live in heaven without you. Mike listen, the Father is harsh, but he’s not blind. He knows what truly was in your heart. And at Laura’s, request He has decided that the two of you will be together for eternity.”
Mike started to smile but it was abruptly cut off by the stranger’s next comment.
“But since you did kill in anger there must be some punishment. It has been decided that Laura will share your fate, and you’ll share hers.”
There was look of confusion on Mike’s face as the stranger continued.
“Mike, you and Laura will spend half of a year in heaven, and the other half in hell, until the end of time. The love you two shared in life will echo into eternity. So let it be written… So let it be done. Mike you have been blessed with Laura and she with you. You two deserve each other. Take care.”
The stranger vanished. The cool breeze that left with him was replaced by a cooler wind and a low hovering mist. Mike saw a figure emerge from the cloud. The figure drew closer and closer and smiled. The smile was Laura’s.
Mike approached his love and she started speaking, “I leave you for one second, and you’re down here doing open heart procedures… Getting condemned… What’s up! Does someone need anger management classes?”
“Baby, it’s really you,” said Mike,
embracing Laura. He refused to let her go.
Laura hugged her man tightly. She whispered in his ear, “Mike, I never want to be without you ever again. It’s the worst feeling in the world,” cried Laura.
“I know, but do you know what you gave up…? Why baby?”
“Why…? Michael, I love you. You’re my life. What good is sitting on a cloud without you there rubbing my feet?” replied Mike’s love.
“Damn! I love you.”
“You better mister,” said Laura, looking toward the horizon. “I guess we’re off to see the Wizard,” smiled Laura.
The couple gazed into each other’s eyes and relished their embrace. They shared a passionately kiss until it was time to go. Spreading themselves upon on the wind, they grew thinner and thinner until only the rushing wind remained.
Epilogue
St. Raymond’s Cemetery was a quaint little burial ground in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx. The forecast for the Monday of the burial was rain and high winds. The meteorologist was very much on point. Wind howled through the trees and heavy rain soaked the ground.
One day after the sanitation strike was over a garbage man making a routine pickup discovered the bodies of Mike and Laura in an alley. After the families identified the bodies, they agreed on St. Raymond’s because that was where both Laura’s mother and Mike’s father were buried.
The memorial service was held the Friday before the burial, and it was a sight to behold. Hundreds of men, women and children from the neighboring projects and communities came out to pay their last respect to the couple. Mike and Laura may have run a marijuana organization, but they used much of their profits to do a lot of charity work for the various communities in their region of the Bronx. Even the minister said they were truly a couple that gave back to their community and people. With rain coming down heavy, the last of the mourners were getting ready to leave the burial site. About two hours after the funeral was over an old friend stood over the gravesite to say goodbye.
“Sorry I got here so late. But I’m sure you know why I have to lay low. I’ve been out of town for a while now but I read about the funeral in the papers and well… Guys I’m so sorry that I couldn’t stop what happened. You’re my family and I should have been able to…” Stopping to regain his composure, the visitor continued. “Anyway, I just stopped by to tell you the old neighborhood is changing back to how it used to be. Black Rob’s weak ass couldn’t run shit without his flunkies. Pretty Boy got busted and Rob eventually started using his own product. You two should see him now all strung out and homeless. I saw him last night as I drove through. I was gonna rock his ass to sleep, but I figured drugs was already doing the job. I miss y’all a lot, man.” Pausing for a moment, their friend continued. “Well boss and boss lady, be cool up there. I’ll never forget you. Peace…”
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