Journey of a Soul

Chapter 38

Glancing at the Saint Christopher pendant swaying from a chain secured to the rear-view mirror of his SUV, Edward thanked the patron saint for his safe travel today. In his haste to redeem himself to Mrs. Constantine, he forgot it was rush hour in Brooklyn. Maybe it was a full moon, because it seemed that everyone was driving as if the devil was chasing them.

He pulled into the driveway and sat there for a moment. Edward had been over to Olivia's home a few times over the years. Every so often he would be invited to go golfing with his father, and they would pick Marcus up along the way.

Thinking about golf brought back the memory of that horrible day. The three of them, plus another friend of Marcus', had been playing at his dad's favorite country club. He loved playing at that golf course, with its championship reputation, hundred-year-old history, and perfectly manicured fairways.

He remembered it vividly. It was a beautiful day to be getting some exercise, fresh air, and some good laughs. Marcus was not only an excellent surgeon, and above-average golfer, he also had a great sense of humor. They were on the seventh hole, and Marcus was about to tee off.

He took a couple of practice shots and then set his stance as if he was aiming for a hole-in-one. With his club still in the air, Marcus silently crippled over to the ground, clawing at the left side of his chest.

After that, everything was a bit of a blur. He remembered his dad giving Marcus CPR, while all the people stood around watching. He remembered the ambulance taking Marcus away. And he remembered Olivia screamed hysterically, "No, this can't be happening! He was perfectly healthy," at the hospital when she found out that he had suffered a fatal heart attack.

The last two times he had been at this address, someone had died. Marcus, and then four years later, Susannah. Taking a breath to compose himself. He got out of his vehicle, walked up to the front door and knocked.

Olivia opened the door with a shocked look on her face. "Edward, what are you doing here? I thought for sure I would never see you again after the hocus pocus stuff I accused you of."

Trying to keep his cool and not be offended by Olivia's accusations, he said, "Please allow me to come in and explain myself." He stepped forward through the door without her invite.

Olivia stepped aside and followed Edward into the living room. Sitting down on the couch across from the chair he sat down in, she said, "Edward, I don't think there is anything that you could say that could change my mind. It's like Lexi is possessed or something. Whatever cult you are in now, I don't want you to ever go near my daughter again."

"Whoa, slow down there, Mrs. Constantine. You have known me for many years, and I have never given you a reason to think these things you are saying. I know that there is something a bit crazy going on with Alexandra, but I assure you that I have not joined any cult and do not practice in Voodoo.

It is true that Alexandra and her friend Tamara came over to my place, and I did participate in saving Susannah's soul so it could ascend into Heaven. But I did not have any idea that they were going to attach her soul to a stuffed toy."

"Edward, everyone knows that ghosts aren't real. Are you trying to make me believe that Susannah is a ghost stuck in our world and not in Heaven?" Astounded at the thought, Olivia slumped back into the couch, saying, "The thought is ludicrous."

"Mrs. Constantine, your daughter believes that her sister's soul never made it into Heaven, and I was just trying to help. In seminary school, we are taught how to do exorcisms, but this was something new to me. Alexandra's friend, Tamara, made the thought of dying and being in the Void equivalent to being in outer space.

No one around, in the dark, stuck, and never being able to move, floating there for eternity. It was such a horrible thought that I just had to help in case there was any truth to it. You would never have forgiven me if I had left your daughter's soul in that condition." Edward was beside himself imagining the anguish of a soul not being in Heaven.

Shaking her head from side to side, Olivia said, "Goodness me, Edward. This is all too crazy. How could all this be happening? It is hard enough trying to function day to day with losing one daughter, let alone having to deal with a second daughter who has lost her mind."

He sat straighter in the chair as he said, "Speaking of losing something, you said on the phone that Alexandra had lost the toy lamb."

"Yes. Lexi came over here earlier, saying frantically, that she had somehow left the lamb at Billy's when he so rudely kicked her out of his place. And here I thought Susannah had found herself a nice Catholic boy and all."

"What? Who is Billy, and why would she be kicked out?"

"Susannah's fiancé. And I had given Lexi the engagement ring to give back to him."

"She was engaged?'

"I know. Ever since Susannah moved out of our house, everything seemed to be hush, hush, and secretive. She had just told me that she was going to move in with him that morning before she died."

"Did Alexandra know about it?"

"It didn't seem like it. Lexi was as surprised as you are."

"Did she know she was giving back the engagement ring?"

"No, I guess not. I had put it in a brown paper bag and stapled it shut after the police returned all of Susannah's possessions."

"I wonder why she took the lamb there in the first place."

"I am not sure, she said something about Susannah's last request. Lexi was pretty fixated on finding the lamb that day. That is why she came by in the first place, to get the lamb.

Thinking back on it now, that lamb showed up in the most unusual place. I had come downstairs, and I noticed it by my boots at the front entrance. I decided to take the lamb back up with me to bed. I had the craziest dream."

Thinking about the dream she had, Olivia began to cry. "Susannah was quite young, and we were playing at the park. Lexi was in school, which was odd because they had reversed roles. In the dream, Lexi was the older child. Dreams are so weird. I remember Susannah asking me to forgive her."

Edward got up and went over to sit beside Olivia, putting his arm around her shoulder. As she put her head on his shoulder, all her pent-up emotions came pouring out. In his line of business, he was used to the emotional roller coaster of grief.

Edward just let her cry. Pulling out a clean tissue from his coat pocket, he passed it to her. Not being able to think of anything to say that would help her. Instead, he said a prayer. "God of love and mercy, embrace all those whose hearts today overflow with grief, unanswered questions and such a sense of loss. Grant them space to express their tears. Hold them close through the coming days. Amen."