Between Life and Death

Ellie barely noticed the handsome man that sat down beside her on the park bench. He seemed to appear out of thin air, but it did not phase her; she did not even glance in his direction. Instead, her eyes were fixated on the way the trees almost waved to her as the gentle breeze offered a peace she had never felt before. The birds sang songs that touched her soul and the flower petals were so vibrant it was as though the colors were alive.

“How are you feeling, Ellie?” The handsome man asked. His velvety voice soothed her even more.

“I don’t think I have ever felt this peaceful in my life.” She answered.

The man smiled “My name is James and I need to talk to you about something very important.”

Ellie slowly turned to him and threw her hand up. “Stop right there, James. How do you know my name?”

“I know a lot of things about you Ellie. I know you are a kindhearted person who is self-sufficient. I know you deeply love and support the people around you. I also know you are unhappy craving a life you are afraid to live and it is keeping you from what you truly want out of life.”

A giggle escaped Ellie’s throat. “Come on James, that describes a good portion of humanity. What else ya got?”

James looked into her eyes with unshakable confidence. “I know for a fact if given the chance you could inspire humanity and change the world for the better. That’s exactly why I’m here. I have an offer for you. And if you knew me, you would know I don’t normally make offers.”

Ellie cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. “What the hell does that even mean? Who are you and why are you ruining my peaceful moment? And again, how do you know my name?”

James sat back and took and breath. His face relaxed and his lips curled into a slight smile “Can you just humor me for a moment?”

“Fine, but you are making me feel more uncomfortable by the second.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot. Do you notice how the colors seem to be alive here? It’s because they are. Notice the breeze that tickles you with unconditional love, a sun so bright but you don’t have to squint to look at.”

Ellie paused and took in everything James was talking about. Her body was overcome with fear as the perfect day started to feel like a trap. She jumped off the park bench and spun around to face James. “Where are we? What’s happening” She growled.

James patted the empty spot on the bench next to him and Ellie reluctantly obliged. James rested one hand on Ellie’s shoulder to try to calm her down. “I am going to show you what is really going on here so you can understand my offer.”

He raised his other hand and slowly moved it from left to right as though he was erasing the lovely park that had surrounded them.

Ellie’s shoulders stiffened and her heart dropped as sadness washed over her. She brushed Jame’s hand off her shoulder hoping that the beautiful park would return but it didn’t.Her head hung in defeat as she quietly asked why he was doing this.

“I need you to understand the situation you are in. Look at what is in front of you and tell me what you see.”

“It’s dark out” she started. “Wait I know that road. I drive it everyday on my way home from work.” She looked at James with tears in her eyes, but she couldn’t explain why she was crying.

“Look closer. Remember you are completely safe here. What else do you see?”

Ellie turned back to the dark road. “I see my car smashed and there is a girl lying in the road.” With a sharp realization she continued “I am lying in the road and there is another car not far from me.”

She turned back to James; her face flush with the crushing weight of her predicament. James was used to this look. It is the look everyone had when they had finally realized who he really was.

“Your name isn’t James, is it? You are death, aren’t you?” she could feel it in her chest.

“Yes, my dear Ellie. I am death. And to be clear, I do not make these offers lightly. You see, when a name appears on my list that means that in your soul contract this is the time you chose to leave Earth and cross back over to what you humans call the other side.”

“So why are you making me this offer?”

“Have you ever heard of a spirit team?”

“You mean like my guardian angels?” she asked.

James nodded his head. “Well, your spirit team petitioned me not long ago and asked if I would look over your life and the potential of good that could come from this offer. I did and here we are.”

“So, what’s the offer you don’t normally offer?”

“You can stay here in the unconditional love and safety you feel now while you finish your transition to the other side as planned or I can send your soul back to the car accident. When the ambulance arrives, the medics can ‘miraculously’ save your life.”

Ellie couldn’t help but laugh at Death making air quotes when he said miraculously but the weight of her situation did not allow for her amusement to last long.

“You said if given another chance I could change the world for the better, right?”

“Yes, and that is the only reason I am offering you this second chance.”

“What could I possibly do to change the world. I am only one person.”

“I cannot tell you that. What I can tell you is that you will have different views on things and a fire in your belly you have never felt before. From that, opportunities will present themselves to you to fulfill your new destiny. You can choose either way. There is no judgement, but the decision must be made.”

“How long do I have?” she asked.

“You have until you see the ambulance lights, that is when you must tell me.”

Ellie sat back and watched the scene in front of her unfold. She watched as her human life slipped away. She replayed her memories, good and bad, like a movie in her mind hoping it would help her decide. Does she go back for the greater good or does she cross over as planned.

James interrupted her thoughts as his hand gently rubbed her back just as the ambulance lights came into view. “It is time for your decision, Ellie. You will not be judged for the decision, but you must make it now.”

Ellie leaned back and whispered in James’s ear then rested her head on his shoulder searching for comfort. James wrapped his arms around her as he knew she did not come to this decision lightly. Nobody that he came to an offer with did.

Ellie drew in a breath “How do I know if I made the right decision?”

My dear, Ellie, either decision would have been the right one. You humans never learn that fully on Earth. Everything is right or wrong. A decision is never wrong; it just changes your path and how you experience life.” With that he patted Ellie’s back and continued. “It has been the utmost pleasure sharing this time and space with you, but we both have places to be.”

He kissed Ellie on the forehead. “Good luck my dear, Ellie.” He said before he made his way to the next name on his list.