Moment with God (Book 2 of With God Trilogy)

XXI

"Yes!" I closed my eyes and answered him. "I do miss my parents."

"Don't you ever wonder why you are brought here?" the voice said.

"Because.. I have a... mission." I answered him, still with closed eyes.

"You are not sure, my dear." He sounds like he knew what was going on in my head. "Do you really have a mission or are you just stuck in here?" He asked with a convincing voice.

I am tempted to answer. Honestly. "No, I don't really know."

"If I were you, I'll think twice my dear. You may be tricked and you may be dead." The deep voice sounded more creepy, having a deeper voice tone.

"That would be a problem." I answered plainly. "I really do not know."

"What?" He grunted. "You should question that!"

"Yes, it has been a question in my head for a while now. But it seems like I do not have the answer." I answered with all honesty, thinking what if he could be an angel helping me.

"That's bad." the voice said. "Maybe it's time for you to question him."

"Him?" I asked. "Who's him?"

"God." He quietly said as I feel his voice fading.

I feel like he is gone. I slowly opened my eyes and I am in grandma's house. But who is he? Why does he talk to me like that? I mean, he is the only one who speaks to me that long here in this place.

"Yes, mother." Dad exclaimed. I looked at where his voice came from and saw him carrying boxes to the car. Where is he going?

I went with him outside and saw mom segregating things from the boxes. "Joseph, look!"

Dad came running and saw his old picture when he was a baby. "You were so cute, then." I heard grandma's voice feom behind. "Mom! You surprised me!" Dad joking that he was surprised. "You know what? Keep that box. It contains a lot of pictures from the past. A lot of memories." Grandma smiled. "I won't keep it all. I asked Sania to give you some of those memories. I have to return that box inside." Dad said as he carried the box with some old pictures.

"Okay then, good luck arranging your new home." Grandma waved them goodbye.

So, I think this time, mom and dad already is married. Wow. I didn't see their wedding or how dad proposed to mom but anyway. Let's see what happens at home. The vacuum portal surrounded me again and transported me back to my room. Wait! Is this my room?

"This is a new home!" Dad exhaled as he put down the last box and see the new house. I am inside. I can see them from out so, yeah.

Wait! I'm just.. uhm.. surprised at how the house looks so empty. Mom surely planned the decorations while dad made those decorations.

They started to open the boxes and pulled out all the things inside. Mom started to organize and see if these decorations would fit in the rooms while dad went to get himself a glass of water from the gallon.

"Joseph?" Mom asked curiously after a few minutes of looking at the photos box.

"Yes, why?" Dad asked while he hammers the nails of the cupboard in the kitchen.

"Look at this." She ordered.

Mom saw a silver pendant. "It's pretty."

"It's mom's locket. Do you want it?" He asked.

"Uhm, no. I just said it's pretty." Mom blushed. "And besides, lockets have space inside for storing photographs."

"So, you think there is a photograph inside it?" He holds the locket and looks at the sides closely, hoping to see something that would make it open.

"Can you open it?" Mom asked.

"I don't know. I used to see mom wear it everyday when I was young but she never opened it." Dad staring at mom.

"Maybe it is just a necklace. But it's still pretty if you wear it." Mom sounds like she wanted it. She looks at the pendant with hearts in her eyes.

"No!" Dad shouted.

What the? We were both shocked.

"I saw her one night, she opened it." Dad remembered the night where he was asking grandma where could grandpa be. "Mom stares at the open locket and closed it afterwards after she heard me ask about dad. I'm too young to remember the whole story but I know this is a locket." Dad continued to feel the groove in the locket and after a few seconds, he felt that pushed something and the locket opened.

"Wow. This could be dad's gift to mom." Dad said as we saw grandma's blooming, beautiful face with her light brown hair.

"Mom has a light brown hair before?" Mom asked.

"No. Maybe because of the age of this locket. The dust, you know." Dad answered.

"Well, pull the picture out and I'll wipe it. Let's see if we can still see a more beautiful picture." Mom said as she noticed dad staring at the box. "Hey, did you hear-

Mom looked at the box.

It was a painting. It was grandpa in a Navy Uniform.

"I threw this once." He whispered. "I remember I threw this once."

"Maybe mom got it back for you." Mom staring at the painting. "He looks so much like you!" She pinched his cheek.

"Ow. Please. I know that." He seemed irritated. "Everyone tells me that all the time."

"Why? You sound like you don't like the idea that you look like him?"

"No." 

"Why, Joseph? He is still your dad. He is someone you should look up to."

"I really looked up to him when I was young. He is my idol. But you know what? He stayed my idol. I heard about his great leadership from mom and other navy officers. I heard about the great battles he faced when he was at sea. I heard about the interviews from the radio telling the world that he is a great navy officer. I wanted to be like him. But, I also heard about him being absent in my birthdays and celebrations. I heard about his broken promises on the phone. I heard that he could not make it to me. I heard that he has more important tasks in the Navy. I couldn't care less."

Seeing dad like this, I am hurt. I hope grandpa shows up. I know grandpa loves dad but of course, important tasks should be done. They swore to the United States. All officers take oath. I know dad knows that. But, all I can see is that dad wants only his presence. Even-

"Even just a little bit." A voice from my back said.

To my surprise, literally. My eyes got bigger.

It was grandpa!!

US Navy Captain Julius Melbourne!!!

Wait! I just hoped that he is here just a while ago?

Can dad see him? Can he talk with him?

Can they settle this once and for all?