“Jackson, you forgot your lunch, again. “
“Thanks, mom, what would I do without you?”
“Starve.”
He gives her a big smile and a wave as he pulls out of the garage. He is still smiling as he drives down the crushed shell driveway past the giant live oaks and onto the highway. I wonder what he is thinking. Is he remembering our kiss the night before? Is he excited to see me at school?”
Suddenly, I feel a knot in my throat as I think about how I will never get to talk to my friends again, I will never be kissed again, or hug my parents.
“Are you okay, Haven?”
I look at Lucius and realize I was about to lose it and we haven’t even made it to school yet. So, I shove my emotions down and concentrate on learning the rules of my half dead world.
“I’m fine, but I do have questions.”
“Naturally”
“Why do we walk and sit, shouldn’t we float around like ghosts? And just now how is it that I could feel a lump in my throat? How can I feel things when I don’t have a body?”
“Some of us do not levitate because we prefer to stay connected to the world of the living. However, there are some that feel more comfortable gliding around places of light. They used to congregate primarily in churches, but there are so few churches left now, that they are often seen at the assemblies as well. You could choose to levitate, if it was your preference, but the newly departed generally find the transition easier if they keep the familiar mannerisms of the living. As for the lump in your throat, it is a bit more of a mystery. We definitely do not feel pain in the same way that the living does. Nonetheless, pain is so intertwined with emotion that some of it seems to find its way into the spirit world. Spirits may not have the nerve endings to feel physical pain. However, we are still capable of emotional feelings. You might say that the lump in your throat is comparable to the phantom pain that the living feels for a lost limb.”
We are pulling into the school when I ask my next question. “You said you’ve been watching me for a long time. Why would you be watching me if I wasn’t a believer?
“I suppose, technically, I was watching Jackson, but you and he were frequently in the same classes. Thus, I have come to know many of the people that surround Jackson and his family.”
“I didn’t surround Jackson.”
He arches one dark brown eyebrow as if to call bull. “Honestly, Haven, I have observed your blatant, adoration of him for years.”
My mouth drops open in embarrassment and offense, but still, he continues on.
“Truly, I never understood your attraction to him. “
“You don’t like Jackson?” I ask in total confusion.
“Of course, I like Jackson. He is a very decent and kind person. I have been watching believers for centuries. Some are easier to be around than others. He is not a difficult assignment. What I meant was the two of you are not at all suited for each other.”
‘What the…what is that supposed to mean? I am not suited for someone who is kind and decent? Gee thanks.” I walk toward the school’s front courtyard and notice how some people are surrounded by orbs of golden light and others seem engulfed in smoky blackness. About half of the students and a quarter of the faculty I see are not surrounded by anything. I realize these are the people like me: the unspoken for.
“Haven, you are misconstruing my statement. I was not insulting you, merely pointing out the differences in your personalities. Jackson has a calm, unemotional and logical disposition. He has been gifted with ingenuity that is complemented by his analytical nature. You, on the other hand, are emotionally charged.” He holds up his hand to stop the protest ready to fly out of my mouth. “It is not an insult, Haven. You are a passionate fighter; you advocate strongly for what you believe in. You are gifted with an inquisitive nature that is complemented by your desire for truth and justice.” He stands in front of me and looks me in the eyes. “The two of you were not meant for each other. You would have frustrated him, and he would have bored you.”
I shrug and look to my feet. “Well, it hardly matters now since we currently exist in two different worlds.”
“It is the same world just with different dimensions. Come; let us catch up to Jackson.”
We walk through the front entrance to the school, and I immediately see Kirra walk over to Jackson. She is surrounded by the same warm glow that Jackson is. There is a petite soul, with perfectly styled brunette hair and red lipstick trailing close to Kirra. She is wearing heels and a white halter dress with red polka dots on it. She looks like the perfect 1950’s housewife. Lucius nods his head in acknowledgement.
“Margret”
She nods back with a serene smile but says nothing. I find myself wondering how she died.
My musings quickly dissipate as I notice the worried look on Kirra’s face.
“Have you heard from Haven this morning?”
“Nope, should I have?”
“Hmm, that’s strange. She was supposed to call me last night, but she didn’t, and no one was home when I went to pick her up this morning.”
“Maybe they had a family emergency, and all left together.”
“Yeah maybe, I guess that makes sense. But I
