If Only

Afterlife

Amanda pov:

I couldn't see anything except for blackness. Is this all there was on the other side? I wondered. I don't know know how long it was black for, I couldn't see I couldn't hear. Then I saw a little light that rapidly got brighter. I started to be able to hear. I heard sobbing and what sounded like a police radio. Then I heard the words that I always keep close to my heart. "To the moon and back my darling" it was my mommas voice. I tried to call out to her that it will be ok. That she shouldn't cry over me but I can't. It was now that I notice how bright the light had gotten, it was blinding. Then all of a sudden it dimmed and I looked around to see I was in a little cottage. I looked out the window and saw a herb garden with a big oak tree behind it. The tree had a wooden seated swing. Beyond that was woods. There was somebody on the swing so I started to walk towards the door to go see who it was, when I heard a noise front the other room.

I turned the corner into the room and saw an older women bent over taking something out of the oven. She stood up and turned around. She dropped what looked like cookies when she saw me. " o my gosh AMANDA MARIE WOODLY what in heavens name are you doing in heaven instead of in the living world!!!!" My grandmother screamed. I knew it was her as soon as I heard her voice. I ran towards her and hugged her tight. She hugged me back so tight I couldn't breathe. I don't know if I couldn't breathe because of the hug or because I was cry so hard on her blouse. She shushed me, " I'm sorry little one I didn't mean to scare you" I calmed down after a few minutes of my grandmothers touch. I explained to her what happened in the living world, grandmother gave me a cookie and rubbed  my back.

After we caught up I asked who the girl on the swing was. " o she was a very nice little girl about your age who ended up needing someone to care for her so I took her under my wing. Both her parents were still alive and she didn't know of any dead family." Grandmother explained. " that was very kind of you grandmother what's her name?" "Her name is Samantha, o dear NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE!!" I had jumped out of my seat dropping my cookie on the floor and bolted out the door to the swing. Except she wasn't there. I screamed her name, and I heard footsteps come around the side of  the house. I saw her peek at me and the recognition in her eyes when they lit up. I ran to her and hugged her so hard my arms hurt. I had missed the girl so much. I was in tears all over again and so was Samantha.

The first day was a lot of tears and a lot of happiness. There was sadness of leaving my parents and Nathan. But Grandmother told me not to worry, every Sunday the gates of heaven would open and we were allowed to meet with living family. In there dreams or just be with them in spirit.

Two months later:
I was sitting on the wooden swing when I heard a familiar voice behind me. "That swing is soo gay, it makes me look straight hunny." I turn around to see Nathan. "What's shaking bacon?" He asks. I laugh at the familiar punch line of his. I ran and hugged him and asked him how he got here. He told me the terrible story of his suicide. I told him we were in heaven, "wait are you sure we are in heaven? I mean I thought the Bible said all gays go to hell or something?" Nathan asks confused. "Nathan god or whoever is ruling this magical place doesn't care who you fall in love with. The Bible also says that suicide Is a sin Nathan and yet we are both here. Speaking of suicide. It's time." I told him. "Time for what?" He asked confused. "For you to meet Samantha."

I visit my new brother Nathan the second as I call him every Sunday. Sometimes I talk to him in his dream. I even got to attend his 9th birthday party where I snuck some icing.  I get to hug my parents every time I leave on Sunday. I am finally happy. Truly happy with all my friends and my Grandmother and even my parents and brother.