The Game

Eighty-two

"This is really too much" I giggle as I look at the large birthday cake in front of me.

"It's not! Never too much for my girl!"

I close my eyes and blow out the candles, I hear the clapping and excitement from my girls.

"I can't believe I'm here, you know? Like its not real" I look at Zara and Jodie.

I lean back and take in the hot sun warming up my cold body, the sound of the waves lapping up on the shore. I'm in paradise. Its more than I ever imagined.

Jodie smiles, "The thought of not spending another birthday with you was awful. After spending everyone together it's so odd not being with you"

"And this is our anniversary of meeting each other, I'm so glad we did. I found the sister I never had" Zara smiles.

"Where is he? He's taking so long with these drinks" I laugh as I took to the side of me and finally see him walking down the beach with a tray of drinks.

"Keith come on man! We are dying of thirst!" Zara shouts laughing.

"Girls remember I am an old man, I don't have young legs like you lot" he smiles.

He places the drinks down and joins us on the sand, "To us" he smiles as he lifts his drink.

We all raise our glass and take a sip, "So what happens now?" I ask.

"What do you mean?" Zara questions.

"Well you know the afterlife? What happens to me?" I take another sip of my drink.

"Well you're in the transition stage at the moment" Jodie looks at me.

"Which means?" I look at Keith.

"It means you are currently being worked on, it means you're not fully passed over" he smiles.

"I don't understand, I don't want to leave. I want to stay with you all" I sigh.

"Grace?" Jodie mentions my daughters name.

"Grace" I repeat and close my eyes.

"She'll be OK" I whisper.

Right now I feel the most secure I've ever felt, I'm with the ones who shouldn't be here. They should be on earth not me. Because of me all of them are here, it's all my fault.

Keith moves closer to me, "You don't mean that" he takes my hand, "You know she needs you more than ever right now. They've put you in a coma, you lost lots of blood. In my professional opinion it doesn't look good. But if you fight with all your strength you'll get through it but if you give up Grace will loose you forever. Just think about that"

"I feel like I'm floating" I say as I feel my eyes getting heavy.

"I won't allow you to give up, you don't belong here" he says sternly as he shoves me hard.

I lose balance, "Oh! Keith!" I rub my arm.

I sit back up, "Why did you do that!" I frown.

"Lauren, you need to live your best life. We will always be with you, watching you and protecting you go back home" Zara crawls over to me and puts both hands on my chest and pushes me hard.

"Stop!" I shout sitting back up.

Jodie stands up and pulls me up, I stand in front of her, "You mean the world to me. My best friend forever and always. I love you, as much as it hurts we can no longer celebrate our birthdays together I would much rather you celebrate every year with Grace than with me. It's not your time yet and it won't be for a very long time" she hold my hands and pushes me with more force than Keith and Zara together I go flying across the sand and tumble to the floor.