Life After Death

Joe looked out the bus window. He watched his home town of Havenport grow smaller as the bus went further outside of town. He was on to better things. At least he hoped it would be better things. His parents would tell you Joe was wasting his time heading out of town. He had everything he needed in Havenport Minnesota. Joe, on the other hand, had better plans for himself.

He was offered a scholarship at an out of town university. One not many people had heard of in a town that literally no one had heard of. Joe was excited to be going there.

The bus ride lasted for six hours, it was long enough for Joe to read through the introduction pamplet and then some. He turned his attention to another book, something written by an actual author. A Christmas Carol by Dickens. It was a classic, and one of Joe’s favorite. He enjoyed how Scrooge turned from a man of greed into a man who was grateful to be alive and have a second chance. A chanced to keep Christmas in his heart all year long.

As the bus ride came to an end, Joe found himself stepping off onto the sidewalk. He didn’t see the car hurling around the corner and jumping the curb. The car hit him, killing him instantly.

People ran to his aide, but found no hope in helping Joe. He was deader than a dornail. If doornails could be dead that is. Sure it was just a phrase, but it was rather close to the truth. A passerby tried performing CPR on Joe. No luck.

Joe stood there watching the crowd form around his dead body. He was in shock. Looking at his hands, he wondered if he was a spirit? A ghost? What was he? Wasn’t he supposed to see a bright light at the end of some tunnel of some kind? No such thing was happening. He wasn’t being taken to Heaven and he sure wasn’t being taken to Hell. Not that Joe believed in either place. They seemed like myths to him written by someone who was scared of death.

It didn’t take long for the ambulance to arrive. They pronounced Joe dead on the scene. He sighed at the thought, it didn’t take a doctor to give that kind of answer. The ambulance driver cleared the area as he loaded Joe’s body into the ambulance.

“What a shame.” A man said. He was standing over Joe’s shoulder. “You were too young to die, but I don’t make the rules now do I.”

Joe turned around. He saw a man dressed in a black from head to toe. A black suit, black shirt, black tie. The man seemed out of place if anything. “Who are you?” Joe asked. “You can see me?”

The man nodded. “Oh yes Joe, I can see you; and I can hear you. Some call me Death. Others, well the others don’t matter now do they. For you would call me Death as well.” He held out a hand.

Joe didn’t shake Death’s hand. He wasn’t sure what would happen.

Death put his hand down. “I don’t blame you. There are so many things that can happen if you shake my hand too early. I guess now isn’t your time. Not yet.”

Joe let go a sigh. “So I can go back to the land of the living?”

Death shook his head. “Afraid not. You’re dead alright. There’s no coming back from this. You won’t be making a recovery anytime soon.” He smiled at Joe, well it was more than a smile it was a straight on grin. “Come with me, I want to show you something.”

Joe took one last look at his dead body being loaded into the ambulance. Man today was not his day. He followed Death down the sidewalk. Joe wondered where they were headed.

Death made a turn on Main Street and entered an ice cream shop. Joe followed him. Finding a booth, they sat down. Death smelled the aroma of the atmosphere. “I miss ice cream so much. There are days I wish I could just have one scoop, maybe two.” He said to Joe.

Joe nodded. “I guess I can see where you might miss something you used to enjoy while you were alive. What are we doing here?”

Death nodded. “Right. We need to go over the rules.” He tapped his fingers on the table. At least that’s what it looked like he was doing. If he pressed onto the table, his hand would go right through it. “I am giving you twenty-four hours to go back to your old life. You have exactly twenty-four hours to close out any unfinished business you might have. Say goodbye to those you love, stuff like that.”

Joe was confused. “Why?” He asked. “Why do that for me?”

Death laughed. “I thought you’d be happy, not asking why I would do this for you.”

Joe shook his head. “No, of course I’m happy. I’m just confused is all. Can’t a guy be confused?”

Death laughed again. “Of course you can be confused. I don’t have time to explain myself. Just know that I understand what it’s like to have missed a chance to say goodbye. That’s all.” He stood from the table. “Now, your time starts right now. So get to it. Twenty-four hours, no more than that. Good luck.” He left the shop.

A waitress walked by the table Joe was sitting at. “Oh I’m sorry sir, I didn’t see you sitting there. Let me get you a menu.” She walked away to the counter.

Joe looked around, did that woman just talk to him? No one else could see him earlier, why not … oh wait that’s right, he had twenty-four hours to be alive again. When the menu came, he decided on a piece of apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Take that you little devil. Joe thought. He enjoyed the pie, paid for the meal and left the diner.

Walking down the street, Joe wondered what he would do first. He decided to call his parents. Stopping at a payphone, Joe called home. His parent’s phone rang and rang, no answer. He forgot they would both be at work by now and wouldn’t be home for another three hours. He would have to try them later. Dialing another phone number, it rang and a woman picked up.

“Hello?” The female voice said.

Joe smiled. “Alice.” He said. “Oh Alice it’s good to hear your voice!”

Alice smiled on the other end of the phone. “Are you safe? Did you get to your destination in time?”

Joe nodded. “Yeah something like that. Look Alice, I was calling to tell you that I love you … and …” His voice trailed off.

Alice continued to smile. “Aww, I love you too sugar.” She said.

“And …” Joe continued “I might not see you again.” He said. “I’m sorry, but that’s just how things are right now. I can’t really explain. I’m sorry.”

Alice dropped her smile. What the hell was Joe talking about? They had been dating for over six years now. Was he dumping her? Was he getting rid of her? Did he find someone else, already? “Must have been some bus ride.” Alice said. “Couldn’t even tell me in person. So, who’s the bitch?”

Joe stuttered for a moment. “Wh..wh.. what?”

“You heard me.” Alice said.

Joe hesitated. “That’s not it at all Alice. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. So I’m not sure I even want to try.”

Alice nodded. “Goodbye Joe.” Click. The phone line went dead.

Joe sighed. Maybe he shouldn’t make anymore phone calls to anyone. He decided to keep the next twenty-four hours to himself. There was no point in upsetting more people. They wouldn’t understand just like Alice didn’t understand. Yeah it would be best if he didn’t do anything about it. It was a difficult decision for Joe, but he had to stick with it.

Joe figured Death knew what he was doing when he gave him that extra time to say his goodbyes. He wanted Joe to be miserable probably as miserable as he was. Joe couldn’t imagine spending an eternity taking people into the afterlife, it must get boring after a while. At least that’s what he figured.

Leaving the payphone behind, Joe stepped out infront of a bus. The driver tried to swerve to miss Joe but couldn’t turn in time. Joe went right through the bus as though it wasn’t even there. Both he and the driver were shocked.

Joe could hear Death’s laugh from a mile away. “Stupid fool, you can’t die twice.” Death said.

Joe started walking. What was he going to do for twenty-four hours with no consequences? He had a few ideas in mind.

The End