The Child

Chapter 2

The leaves are swaying in the trees and I can feel a chill as the wind passes through me. I'm surprise that I can still feel. I am dead!

It's late and only a few cars drive by the house now. I wondered what time it is and give a little laugh. Why should I care!

I walked up the street, first one way and then the other. I would get so far and could go no further. Was this going to be my eternal rest; standing at the end of my driveway?

I hear an owl off in the distance and I think isn't that interesting, we haven't had an owl around here in years.

"I love owls don't you?" A voice quietly states behind me.

I turn to see a young boy, no older than twelve, sitting in a rocking chair, with a notepad in his lap. He's wearing a suit and tie, his blonde hair is greased back, but his shoes are worn and old. He notices that I 'm looking at his shoes.

He smiled, before adding; "My parents bought me a new suit for the funeral, with the last bit of money they had. They couldn't afford new shoes; it was the great depression you see. Besides, Papa said no one would see my feet in the coffin, and my old shoes would do."

"So it is true, I'm dead!" I wasn't in a bad dream.

"Yes, very much so, I'm afraid. Sorry for the long wait, we are short on help. Six Billon people on the planet coming and going keeps one busy don't you know."

"No, I didn't know." I remarked, feeling like I'm in an old black and white movie from the 1940's. I look at the boy, who has the oldest eyes if have ever seen, so knowing and sad.

"Yes, it is rather, busy that is. So let's get down to business shall we."

"Yes, please do, first may I ask, are you an angel?"

"Oh, heavens no," he laughed, "There are too few of the original angels to go around, again, with the six billion souls at any given time on the planet, you see. I'm what you might call a stand in."

"So you're Death?" The boy's appearance did not fall into my preconceived notion of what death should look like; no cloak, no skeleton.

"No, you're wrong once again. Same story, the six billion souls, etc., etc. not enough of them to go around."

"So you might be a devil or a demon?"

"Finally, thank you for an interesting question! The lucky devils, no pun intended, they do have enough personnel to go around. They easily can deal with their portion of the dead. "

"So that means I'm going to Heaven and you not a demon?"

"Demon, heaven forbid!" The question upset him. He took off his glasses and a handkerchief instantly appeared in his hand. He carefully cleaned each lens before continuing on.

"To answer your question; no you are not going to Heaven." He stopped speaking to let his words sink in. If he wasn't from either Heaven or Hell, where was he from? He continued on as if he could read my mind.

I'm from the Souls to be Recycled Department. I recycle souls that want to be reincarnated." He did not look up and checked some pages in his notebook. His actions give him the appearance of being older than the body he filled; "According to my records, you are not an old soul, therefore I see there are three more lives remaining. If you wish to take them."

"My church doesn't believe in reincarnation. Are you telling me that all these years they were lying to me?

"No, not lying per say, can we just say they were not enlighten in their teachings on the subject. After all, billions on the planet do believe."

The McAlary's cat walks up to us, sits, and listens to our conversation. The recycle kid bends down and stoked it black fur. The cat purred. I'm surprised that the animal felt it; but nothing should surprise me now. I'm dead!

"And if I do not choice to be recycled, what happens to me? Do I go to Heaven?"

"No, are you one of those?' He asked in a huff. "You think you will get wings and sit on a cloud all day? Perhaps you think it likes that Matrix movie were you live in a house, have a beautiful garden with no bugs and eat chocolate all day?" He stopped to take a deep breath, into invisible lungs that don't work. God I'm finding this so confusing. Is there a God?

"No, you return to star dust and will be sent back out into the universe."

"Well, I wish to be reincarnated then. Do I have a choice as to where and what I will become?"

"Do you mean, can you decide to be white, beautiful and live in Hollywood? No, you do not?" He appeared nervous for the first time in their conversation. "However, we do have a unique situation, which we are hoping you will help us with."

"Unique, really, how many times have you used that line!" What in the Hell is going on ... oops perhaps I shouldn't use that word right now?

"Well according to my records, and those that held this position before me, this is the first time in many centuries." Oh my God, he's blushing. He doesn't know what to say.

"Okay, what's your name?"

"You can call be Henry or Jack, I've used both before in other lives. I do hate Ernest though." He paused, "Just call me Jack."

"Okay Jack, let's stop this pussy footing around and come out with it. What makes this situation so unique?"

"Oh dear, I had hoped to discuss this before they arrived." The handkerchief instantly appeared and Jack nervously wiped his forehead.

"Who arrived?" I looked around and saw no one.

"Our ride!" Jack gave a weak, crooked smile.