HEAVEN'S ALREADY HERE

They were huddled under a tree. A woman and two young boys, holding each other and crying. I could sense the tears were as much from relief as they were from fear or shock. The woman was saying softly to the boys, “It’s okay, Shhh. It’s all right. We are okay.”

My heart was breaking, and my humanity burst into my psyche like an exploding volcano. I was feeling emotions I no longer thought I capable of – love, longing, happiness. I sent her an image of us on our honeymoon, a young couple on the deck of s cruise ship on the Caribbean Sea. She looked up from the boys.

“Danielle, it’s me honey, “I said trying to sound as normal as possible.

She stared and hugged the boys tighter. “I thought you were dead.”

“In a sense, I was. I am here now. Are you guys all right?”

“I think so. I don’t know what happened. We went to bed last night like normal, and we woke up here. Where have you been all this time?”

“It is a very long story, and I can’t tell it in front of the boys.” She stared at me intently, but said nothing. Her deep green eyes were blazing with many different emotions, relief, joy, love, anger, and fear. I could have stared into her eyes forever.

I pulled her up from the ground and wrapped her in bear hug. She stiffened at first, and then returned my embrace. Tears started flowing from both of us. Ryan finally looked up and screamed with delight. “Daddy! Family hug!” The four of us held each other tightly.

“Daddy, where is your hair?” Chance asked. I started to giggle. I knew that my hair looked like some bizarre punk mullet abortion. Fried in the front, and long in the back.

“Are you all right, Shane?” and before I could answer, “What is that smell?” my wife asked.

“Me, I was burned in a fire. I am okay.”

“A fire?” she looked at me, puzzled.

“Somebody blew up your apartment. I was stopping by when it went up. Some acquaintances of mine got you out before the place went up.”

“My apartment? Why? How did we…” choking back a sob. I pulled her to me.

“It is okay. You and the boys are safe. I need to get the truck so guys don’t have to walk in your pajamas. Are the keys inside?”

She nodded. I turned and sprinted away, slowly. When I was out of sight, I raced at full speed. I punched in the code and unlocked the door. It felt good to be back in the truck. I pulled out unnoticed and raced toward the park.

I felt the anger starting to rise in me, but I pushed it down. My family was not quite ready to see that side of me yet. I drove over the curb and across the weed choked grass to them. When they climbed in, it was as if nothing had changed. Danielle leaned over and kissed my cheek.

“I can’t believe you are here. I swear your hair was shorter when you left.”

“A lot has changed about me. I will tell you everything, I promise. Just not in front of the boys.” She did not look satisfied with my answer, but she remained quiet.

I drove until I found a mostly intact clothing store. We all went inside. Danielle found jeans, tennis shoes and top she liked. For the boys, she found matching short outfits and hiking boots. It was pure joy for me to watch the boys run up and down the isles, laughing, playing hide and seek, and periodically running up to hug me.

The shopping done, we climbed back into the Excursion. I knew the boys would be getting hungry, so I headed toward the only place I knew that might have food. I hoped that Major Vernon was agreeable to cooking us up some breakfast.

It was early, so I hoped I wasn’t waking his wife and new baby as I knocked on his door. At the same time I knocked, I sent him an image of us at the front door. I sensed he might be sitting on his back patio enjoying a smoke.