Somewhere In-Between ~ An Adventure in the Afterlife

CHAPTER 22 - THREE'S A CROWD

Max had been watching the scene with shock, and Bob with amusement.

"What the heck just happened?" Max stared stupidly.

Bob put an arm around Max's shoulders. "Our little dream team just got a new member, kiddo. Just in time, too, because I need to get back."

"Back? Where?"

"Back home, kid. I can't stay here too long. It drains me. I've already been here too long, but it's been necessary to teach you what you need to know to get started. And now that Lizzie's had her lesson, it's time I let you two move on to phase two."

"And what's 'phase two?'"

Bob smiled. "Time for you and Lizzie to actually use what you've been taught. You two are a team now. She takes care of the lost souls and you keep the demons at bay!" He looked over at Carl. "And our new team member..."

"Yeah, Creepy Carl. What's his purpose in all this?"

Bob shrugged. "I'm not sure yet." He smiled again. "But I have a good feeling about that kid. He's a little naïve, but he has a good, honest heart. My girl could use a friend." He nudged Max jokingly. "A friend she can actually shake hands with."

Max furrowed his brow, watching the two of them. "That better be all he does with those hands," he mumbled.

"Getting protective, are we?" Bob smirked.

Max shook his head. "Nothing. Never mind."

Bob patted him on the shoulder. "Well, I'd better get going now. Tell Lizzie I'll be back. I just need to reboot. Easier to just go home for a while. Call me if you need me. I'll be back before the funeral."

"The funeral?" Max was shocked to hear the word.

"Yes, the funeral. Your funeral, remember? It's a big day. It'll be your second chance, kid."

"Second chance? At what?"

Bob looked at Max, confused. "Hasn't anyone told you? Your funeral is your second chance to go home into the light. That's why I've been working so hard to teach you now... while you're still in this dimension where Lizzie can still see and hear you... and learn from you." Bob looked over at his daughter and smiled. "It's been wonderful to teach her more about her gift. She's really needed this. And so have I."

"I don't get it," Max rubbed his temple. "Why didn't my guardian angel tell me that the light would come again at my funeral? I thought Perry's light was my next chance... or even my last chance."

Bob shrugged. "Who knows why those darn angels keep so many secrets. It's like they enjoy watching us scramble through our existence, chasing our butts, trying to figure out the meaning of life and all that. I prefer direct communication. It's so much more practical. Anyway," he said, patting Max on the back, "I've gotta go. I'll see you later, kid. It's been real."

"Wait!" Max turned to stop him, but Bob was already starting to fade away. "What if I need your help?"

"Just click your heels three times!" Bob joked.

"Come on!"

Bob was almost completely faded before his last words faded with him: "Trust me, kid, you won't need me anymore. You have Lizzie. And now Lizzie has Carl. You'll all be fine."

Max stood alone, watching Lizzie wave goodbye to Carl. "See you at school on Monday!" She called after him.

"Sure thing!" Carl waved back. As he left the graveyard, he seemed just as happy as Liz.

Max watched him leave. "Well, that's great. We have a new friend, I see."

Lizzie smirked. "Now look who's being sarcastic. You're not jealous, are you Max?" She chuckled.

Max folded his arms. "You're crazy. He's a twerp. By the way, your dad left while you were saying farewell to little Carl."

Lizzie's face dropped. "What? He's gone? How could you let him leave?"

"What the heck, Liz? I'm not his keeper! He comes and goes whenever he wants, you know. Besides," Max looked down. "He said he'd be back in time for my funeral. Then I guess I can join him when the light comes back for me."

All trace of happiness on Lizzie's face was wiped away from hearing those words. "What?"

"Yeah," Max shoved his hands in his pockets, still looking down at his feet. "Not like there's anything for me to stick around for anyway. Looks like Carl's your friend, now."

Lizzie shook her head and bit her lip, trying not to cry. "You're such a jerk, Max!" She barked at him and stomped out of the graveyard. Max watched her as she marched all the way to her house and slammed the door behind her.

Max hopped up on Lizzie's favorite headstone, dangling his legs, and stayed there for the rest of the weekend.