1
19 hours, 43 minutes2
The day had been long and tough. One of those rare days as a mom when my nerves were at their breaking point. The baby had painted on the wall with her sisters’ art supplies, the dogs got in a fight with the neighbors’ dog, and my son had been sent home early for bad behavior at school. The kids refused to do their chores, and I was about to throw away the play station. To top it all off my husband and I argued over his ever changing work shifts. How was I supposed to find a job with no idea as to when I needed childcare?3
I contemplated all of this as I scrubbed the remnants of dinner off the dishes, and placed them in the strainer. I heard the plane. The one truly bad thing about living on base was the helicopters and jets flying over your house at all hours of day and night. This time it sounded different. Too low I thought, too close. I ran to the back door to take a look outside, and that is when I saw the bright lights of the A-10 headed straight toward my house.4
It all happened so fast. I turned and ran toward the kids’ rooms. Too late, the roof came down with a hard crash. The sound of breaking wood, and sheet rock caving in flooded my ears. I could not reach them, my babies, I could not get to them. The dust and smoke rose, and my vision was blinded by the hot blood streaming into my eyes, and the smoke, and…….5
~ ~6
White light all around? I was sitting in a large straight back chair with a stodgy older man in front of me at a sizable desk. He looked stern, serious. I looked around the room, confused. Nothing. Just white…light? No pictures, no murals, no walls. Just white.7
He cleared his throat to get my attention. He placed a small set of old fashioned spectacles on the tip of his nose, leaving them to do a precarious balancing act, and lifted a box onto his desk. He removed a small folder of papers, documents of some sort. Then a brass alarm clock. The kind with the two large bells on either side, and a huge book, covered in dust. He set the box back onto the floor, and blew the dust off the cover of the book.8
“In case you are still confused Mrs. Salas, you are dead. I am your intake worker Ishmael. I will process you as quickly as possible, given you cooperate”.9
What an ice breaker. Dead? Me? Was this Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, Valhalla? Where was the rest of my family? My babies and my husband? Had they survived?10
11
“They are deceased as well ma’am. No one survived the wreck. Not even the cat”.12
13
I just sat in shock. My babies were gone. Dead. Life had just begun for them, now this. I found myself suddenly angry and wanting to know who was responsible for this. What beast could claim the lives of five innocent children, and the cat?14
“Is this Heaven”? I asked.15
“This is a processing center. We decide where you go from here”.16
“Where are my children? Will they join me?” I asked anxiously.17
“No ma’am. They were too young. They will attend a school of sorts here, and grow to maturity as all deceased children do in this place of light.”18
My children grow to maturity without me? Without my hugs and kisses, my teasing and playing. My tickles and jokes? I could not bear the thought of it. Tears stung my face, as the loss started to settle into my soul, into my very bones.19
“This book contains your life in it. Every second, of every day. This may take some time for me to go through, but no worry, we have eternity after all”.20
I stared for a long time as the old Scrooge went through my life. Leafing through the pages with a bored, unsatisfied look on his face. I stared at the clock, and the folder, wondering about their significance. I also wondered how the old guy could hear my thoughts, and if he could hear them all. A thought crossed my mind…21
“Have you ever lived? As a mortal I mean”.22
23
The quizzical look on his face made me think not.24
“I have existed as long as time, but no, never as a human”. He answered.25
“What is the folder for, if I may ask?”26
“It holds verification of you. Your birth, education, status and such”. He answered flatly.27
“And the clock?” I asked.28
“It was your allotted time on earth. It stopped today at 7:43 p.m..That is when you stopped existing there, and arrived here”. He monotoned at me.29
“Can it be reset?” I asked as blandly as I could. No need to arouse his suspicion.30
“It can, but has never been done before. The boss would never allow it”. He said sternly.31
“Besides, it can only be set back to midnight of the day you died, that is not enough time for anything”. He answered matter of factly.32
I picked up the clock and inspected it. Rather plain in design. The face had a smaller face inset in it with a date, and then the regular hour, minute, and second hands. It was brass, and quite dusty. In all this whiteness I never expected so much dust.33
“Please don’t mess with that. The engineering department will be here to recycle that soon for another person soon to be”.34
How frugal, I thought as I rubbed the smooth surface of the bells.35
A spark, a thought, an idea.36
“I pity you. Never to have lived as us humans do. Never to have felt the warmth of the sun of your face, smelled freshly bloomed jasmine, lilac, or gardenia flowers”.37
38
He grimaced. It was working.39
“Never to have seen the beauty of a sunset that resembles spilled watercolors on a blue-gray canvas. Never to have felt the wonder of someone’s’ hand closed around your own. Never to have loved”.40
“All those are trivial ma’am. I see you wasted much of your time on earth on such frivolities. Where are you now? Here, like me”. He sniped at me with a smug look on his face.41
I felt a draft. A cool breeze, and looked to see where it came from. I saw an edge, a streak of dark, speckled with shimmering stars. I knew what to do then.42
I leaned in to his desk, pretending to place the clock back on it’s surface, and knocked the folder to the floor scattering it’s contents everywhere! He got on his knees, grumbling, and started retrieving the papers. I jumped up, turned and ran toward the edge, setting the time back to 12:00 am as I ran. 43
For an ancient dude he sure ran fast. Calling out to me to stop as he did, and saying I could not come back. I did not care, I had to try, had to try to save my babies.44
As I reached the edge I stopped. The still human fear inside my mind of falling too my death. Reality set in and told me I was already dead…go for it! I leaned forward and lept, falling fast toward my backyard.45
~ ~46
47
I sat up quickly! My bed, I was in my bed. The alarm clock on my bedside table said 12:AM. Was it a crazy dream? Us witches are prone to such things. I decided it must have been, and rolled over to fluff my pillows when I felt it. Cold, hard, and as my hand hit it I heard the small ding of a bell.48
I woke my kids at 5:30 am. No time to waste. We went to the zoo, smelled the lilacs, played games and sung songs. We sat at the park and watched the sun set together. My son was forgiven his bad behavior at school, and I told him and his sisters all how proud I was of them. I kissed my husband and said we would work out a new schedule. I called my mom. I walked my dogs, pet the cat, played with the ferret and rabbit. I talked, sang, loved, breathed, I lived.49
At 6;00 AM I packed up some of everyones clothes, photos, and cherished items. I took them to my moms. I came back and loaded the kids, husband, and dogs into van. I was cutting it close. It was now 7:35 pm. Just as we were about to drive away, with my whole family thinking me insane, my daughter yelled out “Ricochet! We forgot the cat mom!”. I stopped the vane half a block away, kissed my husband and looked at my kids, then ran all the way to my house in search of the cat. 50
The cat ran out as I ran in, then suddenly the dust and smoke was all over. Next thing I knew I was in front of grumpy Gus again. He was tapping his foot and glaring at me.51
~ ~52
“I thought I could never come back?” I said to him.53
“Exceptions have been made before”. He said.54
“And my family?” I asked.55
“Your family Mrs. Salas will be smelling flowers, taking walks, gawking at sunsets, holding hands, and wasting their time exactly as you did. Basically….they will be living”.56
57
~ ~58
I smiled, and through the wreckage in our yard my kids could see the rainbow just above the house.59
60
Author notes
My tragedy would be my children never growing up.
The title refers to the amount of time I stole to save my kids...and live a little more.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 29 of 29
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Stunning
This piece of insight has opened my eyes and heart to think about my own babies. It gripped me deeply, and brought me to a realization that I don't spend enough time with them each day. I love the fact that you started it as a normal everyday setting without a hint of things to come, but as you progressed and more was revealed to you, you did what needed to be done so by the end of the story, you had made things right with those being left behind -- you had left a lasting memory with them to carry through their lives.
Blessed Be!
(now if you'll excuse me, I've got 4 little ones to snuggle as they dream ... where's the tissues?)
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Thank you Rose. I tried not to offend any other religious views, including my own, in this perspective on death. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for such a wonderful comment.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
This is a really awesome story. I love the whole concept and the entire storyline. It was a wonderful tale told and it's interesting to have different views on where we go when we die. The whole house collapsing is very tragic and nearly brought me to tears. It was wonderful. This definitely deserves an applause from me. Good luck in the contest.
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Crimson,
Thank you for the kind words on the story and the artwork. The idea of the processing center for me was...well I did not want to say heaven (as I am not Christian), but believe we must go somewhere. To me my children not growing up would be the worst thing ever. I could easily die so they would live. I guess my maternal instincts are strong.
Again thank you for the kind comment. I am sorry for the length, but once I started penniing it took a life of it's own.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
I also meant to say that I really like the artwork.
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Oh my goodness.
First of all, I really, really, REALLY love the concept behind this. A lot. I love the idea of there being a processing center, and the clock...yes. I think it's wonderfully original, and the story, from when she returns at midnight, to when she returns to the scroogey guy, brought a tear to my eye. Thank you so much for sharing this and good luck.
-crimsonshadow- -
I am glad you enjoyed this write, and happier yet it made you think. Often we never realize what we have till we lose it. In this I had another 19 hours and forty three minutes to enjoy that. I hope you have much more time...a lifetime.
Thank you again for such kind and encouraging words.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
this is a very interesting thing in which to think about. you have caused me to think about what i am really doing, i mean really doing. the love shown to your family in this story is priceless. there is so much in here, i don't even know where to begin.
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Tears,
Thank you for the wowing comment that turned my cheeks crimson. Thank you also for the correction on the typo/error. I penned this at 2:30 am, so was sure to have a mistake here or there. LOL. I am glad you enjoyed this write. Perhaps someday soon I will have a novel.
Thank you again for the blessed encouragement.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
good
AWW! that touched me way deep. it gave me chills!! wow. you should write a book becuase you are amazing! wow. no words no words at all. i have one thing that i think was a typo... it was here."I took woke my kids at 5:30" . i think you meant woke and eliminate the took. other than that it was perfect! i hope you win the contest becuase you deserve it! good luck!
tears of ice
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Awwww.. that was so sweet. I eally can't say anymore other than your story has left me speachless. I wish you luck in the contest, that was jsut... just amazing. You really grace AllPoetry with your beautiful writing.
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Amber hun, thank you for the wonderful comment...tears and all. Much love and light your way.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
Oh my *wipes away the tears* you are amazing, as always..i love this!..
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Oh sis what spurred this was the fact that the jets seem to be flying lower and lower all the time dern it! I had insomnia, and this was what came into my wee noggin. LOL. Wierd huh. Thank you for the great comment. I knew you of all people would comprehend this fear of mine.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
When Tristen was a baby I lived directly in front of a airfield. I can't tell you the nights I tossed and turned, freaking out about something like this happening. I even moved his crib in my room so that I had him in reach.. Funny how planes were always a fear even before 9/11.
You catch the readers attention and it never stops.. Like a Mom you sacrifice for those you love..
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Thank you for reading this tale, and for the kind words. I am glad you enjoyed it, and also glad you recieved it's message loud and clear. Many blessings.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
Thank you messymom for such a kind comment. I am so glad you enjoyed this short tale.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
So many thanks for such a shimmering comment.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
Northshore,
Thank you for such a fantastic, and enthusiastic, comment. I have several other short writes, but think this is to be one of my best short stories. Thank you for asking, and thank you again for the wonderful comment.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
joybug,
I am sure that all mothers, or most, feel this deep love for their child/ren. For me it was inborn as soon as the cord was cut. Thank you for the vote, and the kind and wonderful comment.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
Mel,
Thank you first off for the beautiful and insightful comment on this write. Life does indeed end often for no good reason. I have always believed we should live each day to the fullest, and let the small things go. I am sorry for your friends death, but glad he has a kind heart to remember him.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
Thank you memnoch (love the name by the way), for such a wonderful comment. Indeed it turned out a bit long, but as I started typing it the story seemed to grow. LOL. Thank you again for such kind words.
Blessed be
~~Serenity~~
Billie Jean -
This is incredibly beautiful. The message rings true that we should go to the zoo and smell the flowers, and waste our time on the things we enjoy rather than worrying about the details. I am not yet a mother, but my maternal instinct was hit hard by this. I thank you for sharing such a wonderful, and wonderfully written, story with me.
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excellant
This story really touches your heart. There is nothing stronger than a mothers love. It brought tears to my eyes and then joy to my heart. It reminds us to live each day as if it were our last and be sure and share our love with each other. This was truly very well written. -
smile and heart... oh, what a jewel...
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Best read today
The most incredible short story I have ever read!!!
Courageous and brave
Heart felt with sorrow
Silent from speech
Adversity from tragety
wowowowowowowowowowowowowowow
I am speechless yet luckily I can still type
Not much chokes me up or puts a tear in my eye, but your story rang true!!!
Absolutly beautiful!!!!
Marvelous in all its spledor!!!
You have some talent
The vividness and realistic spiritual circumstance you brought forth was surreal!!!
Again I applaud you!!!
Great write!!!
Keep it up!!!
Do you have more like this? -
awesome emotion
Absolutely one of the best stories depicting a Mother's love that I have read. Wonderful. You gave strength and courage in the face of ultimate loss. The thought of not giving everything possible to your children is a very compelling call to any Mom. Thank you for such a touching piece. Yes, I vote you win the contest. Much blessings. -
heart-wrenching...
Can I just start off by saying thank-you. Thank-you so much for sharing this with me. After the events of today (and I've only been awake 3hours!) this was just what I needed to read. Hope and love in the face of death... I have tears in my eyes. This really touched me... This morning I looked at the front page of the local newspaper to discover that a guy I knew had been tragically killed in a car accident last w/e. Only last night I'd been leafing through photos of him and my friends playing in our local park last Summer. He was 18 years old.
This was a brilliant piece of writing and has certainly made me feel a bit better. I really hope you win the contest - you definitely deserve to!
Thanks again.
mel xx -
Wow! what an amazing and touching and gripping story! un-believable, honestly i hesitated on reading it as it looked a bit long at first, but once i started i couldn't really stop!! this was an excellent story, with the characters you chose, and the plot, oh it was so real. how often do people die with no real reason, no significance? amazing, this is a master piece, great write, and best of luck with the contest!
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