More Than Life Itself

More Than Life Itself

“This really sucks!”

“What’s eating you?”

“That’s just it…everything's eating me.”

“Well, Jessie, you are dead, you know.”

“But I have feelings too. I’m still attached to this body, even if it is for only a few hours at night.”

“Well, you oughta take better care of it then.”

“What duya mean? I’m still attractive…just look as these boobs, they hardly sag at all!”

“Hold it! Don’t move…there’s a worm in your cleavage.”

“Eww! Get it, Bill, get it!”

“Okay, okay…hold still, will ya.”

“Hurry!”

“Okay, there it is. I got it. You can open your eyes now.”

“Oh…thank you, thank you. What’s that you’re eating?”

“Well, I’ve started to like the taste of worms…especially yours, my dear.”

“Aw, Bill, that’s sweet. You take good care of me, don’t you?”

“In my way, Jessie…in my way.”

“Look at all the lights in the city. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, Cloverdale is really spreading out. Hell, thirty years ago we didn’t even have a freeway—now look at it. People coming in from all over the country.”

“You miss it, Bill…being alive, I mean.”

“Gosh, no, I got you, don’t I? Being alive without you, now that was unbearable. I think I’ve proven that.”

“That you did, sweetheart. You gave up everything for me—everything.”

“Fifty years is a long life. There are a lot of people who never get that much. Besides, I love you more than life itself, Jessie.”

“And I, you, my dearest. I couldn’t leave this world without you. I would have waited forever.”

“It wasn’t too long of a wait, was it? I mean it was only a month after you passed.”

“A mere moment is too long, Bill. I was lost without you.”

“Yeah, I know, but I’m here now, that’s all that matters.”

“Yes…that’s all that matters.”

“Remember, little Katie, when she used to do that thing with her peas and mashed potatoes?”

“Oh, my, yes…that was hilarious. How old is she now?”

“Twenty-three…I think. God, I’d do anything just to hold her again. She was my little puddin’ cup. I used to pick her up in my arms and smell her hair after every bath. It got to where she’d come up to me and say, ‘Smell my hair, Dad. Smell it!’ And of course, I would…hell, I can almost smell it now.”

“It must have been hard on her losing both of us so young.”

Yeah. I reckon so. But my brother has taken good care of her. She always liked him.”

“Maybe you should have stuck around a bit longer. I would have waited.”

“I know, darlin’…I know. But that’s water under the bridge, now. We’ve still got each other.”

“That we do. Come ‘ere and give me a kiss.”

“Like old times?”

“Just like old times.”

“Hmm, hmm…you still got it, babe.”

“Aw, I bet you say that to all the dead girls.”

“No…just one.”

“Will we stay here forever, Bill…together, just like this?”

“Well, that’s not up to me to say. The Light will come at daybreak, just like always. All you have to do is go into it.”

“And you too, right? You’ll come with me.”

“You know I can’t. We’ve had this discussion before, Jessie. You died of natural causes, where I…well, let’s just say, I hurried things along a bit.”

“You know, I can barely see the bullet hole anymore. That mortician did a wonderful job on you.”

“Yeah…thanks. It doesn’t hurt as much as it used to, except when the wind blows, and I can hear that damn annoying whistle.”

“Look! It’s the Light…it must be close to sunrise.”

“Yeah, I figure so.”

“Can you see it? Can you see how beautiful it is?”

“Now, Jessie, you know I can’t see it. The Light don’t come for me, it’s for you.”

“I know, but maybe this time I can lead you toward it.”

“Sure, it’s worth a try. Here, take my hand and lead the way.”

“Oh, Bill, this is so exciting. It looks wonderful inside. Can you feel it? Can you see it yet?”

“Keep going. I’m right behind you.”

“Oh, my God, it feels so warm…so comforting. Look, there’s Grandma Ruth. She’s waiting for us, Bill. Hurry!”

“I’m right behind ya, Jessie. Just keep going.”

“Oh, Bill…it’s indescribable. All my cares and woes are falling from me like dust. I feel so complete…so at peace. Hang on, darlin’, hang on to my hand. Bill? Hang on! Hang on to my hand! Bill?”

“I love you, Jessie! Rest in peace, my love…rest in peace.”