How do I get to Heaven?

Chapter 8- Well This is Embarassing

This must not have been Cody's first rodeo, because as soon as I started sobbing, I was pulled against his chest. He said nothing as I clutched his shirt while I soaked it in tears.

I cried for my friends who I would never see again. I cried for my family; knowing they would be going through such heart break. Will my family even stay together? How will my big sister handle it? We were closer than any siblings I had ever met. My death was going to destroy her. She had just two semesters left before she got her Masters in Early Childhood Education. I hoped she would finish school.

I cried for my room, and my little brown and black stuffed puppy I had gotten on my second birthday. That thing went everywhere with me. I wasnt sure how I'd sleep tonight without him.

Lastly... I cried for myself. I had no idea what I was in for, and that scared me so badly I felt sick. I went from some receptionist to a damn soul hunting, Hell living body lacking soul who somehow still can eat and cry.

After what could have easily been hours, the tears stopped. Cody still held me for a while, probably to make sure a second wave of self pitty wouldn't wash over me. Then he stood and went to the kitchen. He returned a moment later with a glass of water, which I greedily chugged until it was empty.

He sat beside me again and sighed. I kept my eyes on the glass in my hand, not wanting to look at him. I didn't usually fall apart like that infront of people, especially strange Demons from Hell.

"I know this is really hard. Everyone handles their first night differently. Some people drink, some get into fights, some pick up someone to sleep with, some lock themselves in their apartment and probably do what you just did." Cody told me.

I sniffled before asking "How did you handle it?" Cody blew out a small laugh and said "All of the above, minus sleeping with someone. I was so angry. I had just turned twenty-three. I was going to law school, had a great family, and such a bright future. Then suddenly I'm down here, thrown into a life I didn't want."

"How did you die?" I asked. I figured that wasn't proper etiquette but I didn't care at this point.

Cody's face curled onto one of disgust and he said "My fucking cousin killed me. We got in a fight because he claimed I was sleeping with his wife, which I wasn't. We ended up in a drunken brawl outside of a Pub, and he pushed me down the stairs. Broke my neck on the way down."

My mouth hung open once again. I thought my death was bad... but someone he loved and trusted had killed him. That must be so hard to live with.

"I'm so sorry." I murmured. After a few seconds he sighed and leaned back against the couch cushions.

"It's okay. It was a long time ago." He told me. Curiosity peaked within me again and I asked "How long ago?" Cody cut his eyes to me and with an amused expression on his face, he replied "I died March 11th, 1866."

"1866?" I gasped.He nodded with a smirk and said "I'm an old geezer now, but still one of the younger guys. Oldest Devil I have met died in the 1492, on the ship Columbus was on when he came to what is now America."

I was stunned into silence. I guess Devils didn't age... which will be cool. No fear of wrinkles or losing my ability to hike and run. I took a shakey breath and said "Well... I'm sorry about all of that. My story is nothing like yours. I think it's my fault I'm dead though. I was in the car with my friends when I somehow lost control of the car. We slid off a cliff and flipped a few times. My friends were fine, as far as I knew but... I'm down here."

Cody put his hand on my knee and squeezed lightly. My eyes stung but I didn't think I had any tears left in me. As we sat quietly in my new home, I tried to think of it as just that. Home.

I was sitting in my livingroom with a new, very attractive, friend while a movie plays on my television. This was my house.

I looked over and caught Cody staring at me. I was frozen in his blue/grey gaze. Leaning over, he wiped a tear that had somehow snuck its way out of my eye. My heart kicked into high gear and I swallowed hard.

Cody moved closer and murmured "You should relax some. You wont feel well in the morning if you keep crying." I nodded, but couldn't find anything to say. Cody was slowly leaning closer to me, and I found myself moving in to meet him.

I felt his breath softly caress my face. His eyes dropped down to my lips and he said "You need a distraction, then." I smiled slightly and whispered "Got any ideas."

He let out a low, smooth chuckle which caused my entire body to catch fire. He moved some hair behind my ear and said "I have a few ideas."

Then, I surrendered to every idea he came up with for the rest of the night.