Moment with God (Book 2 of With God Trilogy)

XXII

"Even just a little bit." Grandpa said. "I gave value to my son."

Dad seems he isn't listening. Or maybe he can't hear it?

Dad looked at grandpa's direction. That gave us hope. Grandpa's eyes lit up and was surprised. 

And he looked away again.

I saw grandpa give dad a half smile as he looked down.

Like Mum, could grandpa see me? How could I know?

"It's okay, grandpa!" I called.

I was shocked when his eyeballs rolled out to stare at me. Woah! That was a powerful stare. A stare of a great Navy officer. A Navy captain, I suppose.

Grandpa stepped closer to dad.

"Joseph, I'm sorry. Really sorry. I may be a real man at work but not a real dad at home. If you feel that I neglected you, it's not true. I always talked to your pictures when I am on a ship. If you feel like I don't love you, I regret it. I regret not showing you love. But I love you, son. I worked my way to be a captain to be a role model to you. I wanted you to grow up strong and principled. I wanted you to grow like a man. Maybe not like me, but someone you hoped to be. If that will happen, you find a happy place in your job, then I would be happy too." Grandpa cried as his mouth uttered these heartbreaking words. I felt the sincerity in every word he spoke. 

"I hope dad could hear it." I thought.

"Janice." Grandpa called.

To my surprise, I asked, "Yes, grandpa?"

"You're lucky. Your dad shows you love. He was there for you everytime. Unlike me."

"Uhm, actually grandpa. I am a little angry at dad because he left me."

"He left you? I'm sure he has a reason."

"I think so too. But he should have told me. If he did tell to mom, then why not to me?" I grunted.

"You will know the answers, Janice." Grandpa smiled. 

I saw dad get up from kneeling, holding, and staring at the painting for quite some minutes. He rushed outside and started the car.

"Where are you going?" Mom asked.

"I'll go visit him. I'll ask mom to come with me. We'll go visit." Dad exclaimed and sat on the front seat and we watch him drove away.

"Dad seems like he heard." I thought. "But it's impossible, I am in the past. So that means grandpa is really here at this moment when this time happened?"

"Yes, I am." Grandpa smiled to me.

I'll be honest. I did get a little terrified but I really want to know answers so I approached him.

"Grandpa, you were here?" I asked.

"I've been with him since that day." Grandpa replied.

I understood. He meant by that day when he was gone.

"Janice, have a good relationship with your parents. One day, you'll get to be one and don't be like me."

"Thanks, grandpa. I'll always take that advice." I smiled at him.

"My piece is complete." He whispered as he fades.

Wait a minute!

I think I heard that before. Am I right? I heard that.

I was left at home with mom. She looked at dad's car driving away. She sat on the couch and tried to fix the things left on the boxes.

I didn't know dad loved painting. I never see him hold a brush, but I always saw him walk with a suitcase.

Mom picked up dad's clothes and sorted it out. She put some in the cabinets and some in the laundry.

"How about mom?" I thought. "She is loving, caring, and patient. I didn't know she worked as a nurse at a hospital."

I stopped for a second as I saw mom use my headphones. Oh yeah! My headphones. I missed it so much.

I watch her prepare coffee. She comforted herself on the couch and opened her Bible. I don't know but I see myself in her.

"God, I thank you for my mom." I thought, smiling. "And I miss her so much."

I walked upstairs and saw my room. There was just a bed.

This is my safe space with God. This is where I write, I cry, and do everything I needed to do.

Oh how I miss the memories!

"God?" I called. "Are you there?"

"Yes, Janice?"

"You're always there." I smiled. "I just miss talking to you."

"You can always talk to me anytime."

I stood up and walked downstairs. "I miss my family."

"I can see."

"Can I go back?"

There was silence. I hoped for something to happen but there was none.

Suddenly, the environment changed and I saw everyone in the living room. They were gathered and talking. I just realized, it was my birthday.

"Happy Birthday, Janice." God said.

"Thank you so much, Lord."

"This was the birthday you told me you would remember forever."

"Really? I can't remember." I walked towards Riley and my other cousins playing Jenga. 

"Look at them."

I saw Aunt Helen cooking my favorite pasta and Mom baking a chocolate cake.

"Lord, I... I'm really speechless.

I saw a man and Dad grilling barbeque and steak. I recognized his face. He was my uncle. Uncle Tommy.

"Where am I?"

I suddenly saw a little girl trying to tie her shoes. Oh yeah! That's me!

I remember my grannies watching and teasing me about my cute, white shoes. They were with me and I laughed with them.

I never remembered this but thank you Lord you showed me this birthday. I am so happy watching everyone have a good time.

This showed me how happy a family can be and also wanted me to ask God a question. Can I go back? I mean, is there a way out of here?

"There is." a voice said.

Who is that? I turned back and I saw Uncle Tommy looking at me.

"Uncle?"

I can't hardly believe my eyes.

"Is it really him?" I thought.

I looked for him in the house and saw another Uncle Tommy. He was sitting in the corner and looking at Riley.

"Wait, how can there be two Uncle Tommys?" I questioned myself.