Somewhere In-Between ~ An Adventure in the Afterlife

CHAPTER 17 - AIN'T GOT NO BODY

"Perry!" Max didn't know whether to cry or laugh. He knelt down and hugged her tight.

Perry watched the action over Max's shoulder. The doctors were frantic, and their parents kept a respectable distance. Their dad had his arm around their mother – as much as he could with her neck brace in the way. Perry pointed at them "Mommy okay?"

Max pressed his check against her little head. "Yeah," he started. Suddenly he straightened up and pushed her away, hands firmly on her shoulders, looking her in the eyes. "But Perry, you have to go back! Mom and Dad need you right now. They can't lose both of us!"

"What you mean, Max?" She looked at him, confused.

"Let me handle this," Bertha stepped in, and knelt down by the child. "Hey there, sweetie! It's time for you to go back now."

"Who you?" Perry blurted out, smiling.

"Oh, I think you know who I am, sweetie." Bertha held a hand up and placed it over Perry's face, blocking her eyes.

Perry was still and silent for a moment. Then she gasped, gave out a giggle, and smiled wide. "Oh, wow! I know you! You from my book at home!"

Bertha smiled. "Yes, dearie, but that's our little secret, okay?" She turned her head and winked at Max.

"Okay," Perry said in her bubbly voice as Bertha took her hand away. She wrapped her arms around Max. "Gotta go! You fight too, Max, okay?"

"I love you so much, Perry!" Max squeezed her and felt her fade away in his arms.

"We have a heartbeat!" One of the nurses shouted.

Max watched as he saw his parents embrace each other in the corner of the room. His mother sobbed with relief.

Max felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. "So, have you decided what to do?" Bertha asked.

"Yeah," Max sighed. "I guess so. But what if Perry's heart stops again?"

"Boy, you heard what your sister said. She wants you to fight!"

"How can she possibly know about our conversation?"

"People hear a lot when they're asleep. Who knows?"

"Well," Max thought, "I guess I'd be more use to my family if I knew how to protect them from those bad guys. Okay, it's a deal. I'll join the club."

Bertha chuckled. "Great, Maxie! Your lessons start right away."

"Lessons?" Max slouched. "Seriously? I need to go through lessons now?"

"Boy, you don't know anything yet! You need a mentor! He's waiting for you in the hallway."

"Why can't you be my mentor?"

She waved a dismissive hand at him. "Sonny, I ain't got time to be your mentor! Sheesh! Go on in the hallway. Your family's good for now. Go on!"

Max looked over at his family. Perry was still unconscious in her bed. "Are you sure it's safe to leave her alone?"

"I'll keep an eye on her, sweetie. Relax."

Max was hit with a sudden question. "Wait a minute, Perry said you looked like someone from one of her books at home. What was that all about?"

"Oh, I let her see the real me, that's all. I knew that would help her to trust what I was saying."

"The real you? You mean this..." Max gestured to her. "Your appearance is just a costume?"

"Hey, I already told you I ain't gonna tell you my real name. I ain't too fond of the name 'Bertha,' but I'll take it. It's the price I pay to keep my secret identity!" Bertha winked.