“Somehow I believe you,” Max said weakly.
“Good,” Sara said. “Then you need to trust me. Chip and I will take care of Boone tonight. We’ll take you to the hospital, where Chip knows a lot of doctors. They’ll get you cleaned up and watch over you while you get a good night’s sleep for a change. In the morning, Chip will come in to set up a treatment plan.”
“But I don’t have any money. I don’t have a job, remember? I can’t pay for all of that.”
“No worries,” Sara said. She gave his hand a squeeze. “Chip and I will take care of the cost, provided you come to therapy regularly and follow Chip’s instructions.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Well, I am your angel, after all. That’s what angels do.”
Max’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude. “You really are a superhero,” he said with a hint of a smile.
CHAPTER 18
yellow ribbons
Chip sat at the oversize mahogany desk in his office, his gaze fixed upon the painting of a sailboat that hung on the pale-blue wall. Smooth sailing, he thought.
It seemed that everything in his life had fallen into place lately. He and Sara would soon be married. He had completed his graduate studies and received his doctorate. And he had a successful career as a psychologist. Chip was grateful to help so many people in need. He was especially proud of one person in particular: Max.
He was very pleased with Max’s progress since beginning treatment for severe depression and suicidal tendencies. He had watched a sad, hopeless, fragile man transform into a person with renewed strength and vitality. Once on the verge of suicide, Max now looked to the future with hope. He still had some work to do, but his progress was very promising. Much like the sailboat, he was coasting through life, in the middle of a big, vast sea, but with direction and purpose this time.
Chip had been counseling Max weekly for almost a year now, and he looked forward to their sessions. But Chip knew he couldn’t take all of the credit. It was Sara who had saved Max and had started him on the path to healing and recovery. Funny how a woman who tried several times to commit suicide herself was the one who prevented someone else from killing himself.
A knock on Chip’s office door interrupted his thoughts. His secretary peeked in. “Max is here,” she said with a smile.
“Okay,” he replied. “Send him in.”
Minutes later Max appeared in the doorway, his hands in his pockets. “Hey, Doc,” he said.
“Hello, Max. C’mon in. Have a seat. How are you doing today?”
“Well, I’m alive, so I guess it’s a good day,” Max chuckled, plopping himself down on the tan leather couch and pushing aside the navy-blue pillow.
That had become a standing joke with them. Since Max had almost taken his own life, he and Chip had talked about how every day he was still here was a gift in itself. Chip had told Max not to be too hard on himself or expect too much too soon. Simply showing up for therapy was enough in the beginning. As his recovery progressed, they were able to make light of the situation, and Max would always equate success with still being alive.
“You must be doing something right, Doc, because I’m still here,” he would always say.
“So tell me, Max, what’s been going on with you?”
“Well, I may have finally found a job,” he said proudly.
“That’s great. Please tell me about it.”
“Well, a friend of mine told me that they needed a security guard over at Soaring Eagle Casino, so I stopped in and filled out an application last week. They called me in for an interview, and it went very well. The manager says it’s between me and one other candidate. He’s gonna let me know on Friday if I got the job.”
“Glad to hear that,” Chip said. “And how does that make you feel?”
“Hopeful. Relieved. I mean, I won’t have to worry so much about how I’m gonna pay the bills or feed my son. If I get this job, it will all be okay.”
“Yes, it will. And what about your ex-wife? Have you heard any more about how she’s doing?”
“Yeah. I talked to her doctor the other day. She’s still in the psychiatric hospital. She keeps asking to see Boone, but I just don’t know. I don’t want her to upset him.”
“Boone’s a very resilient and insightful child,” Chip said, reminding his client of the little boy’s strengths.
“Yeah, I know. If it wasn’t for him, I might not have made it. He knew I needed help, and he knew just the person to help me. I still don’t understand how that even happened. It was just… like… a miracle or something.”
“It was pretty amazing,” Chip agreed.
“I don’t know where he gets it from, but my boy is gifted. He sees things, you know, ahead of time.”
“Yes, I know.”
“He knew Sara was going to save me when he first met her,” Max said.
“Yes, he did,” Chip agreed. “And he also knew Sara was suicidal. Not too many little boys have that much insight.”
Max rubbed his eyebrow as if he were trying to figure something out. “Can I ask you something, Doc?”
“Of course. Anything.”
“How does that work? All that psychic stuff.”
“To be honest, I don’t really understand it all myself,” Chip admitted. “All I know is that there are things we experience with our five senses, and other things that we experience in some other way.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Max exclaimed.
Chip continued, “The information comes from outside of ourselves somehow. It’s like an invisible flow of knowledge is communicated to us in a nonphysical way. Sometimes it’s a feeling that something is going to happen. Other times it’s a knowing without understanding how you know. The spirit world also plays a role in transmitting knowledge to us through signs, synchronicities, images, and visions. It’s all very interesting, but the particulars of how it works are still a mystery.”
“Yeah,” Max said, nodding. He paused for a moment and scratched his head.
“What’s on your mind?” Chip asked.
“I was just thinking how much you’ve helped me and what a gift you have. It’s a shame you have to work for someone else. Have you ever thought about opening up your own practice?”
“As a matter of fact I have,” Chip admitted.
“I think you would have an awesome practice, Doc. You’re not just a typical psychologist. You have so much knowledge of other things. Otherworldly things. You know, spiritual stuff. People need to know about that ’cuz it can really help them.”
“Yes, I agree.”
“What about Sara? What are her plans? She’s just amazing, you know. She’s got an incredible gift as well. She’s psychic just like my boy, Boone. Does she have any plans to use her gift more? Maybe work as a professional psychic or something? She’d be really good at that.”
“I really don’t know what Sara’s plans are,” Chip said. “Other than marrying me soon, of course.”
“I’m so happy for you two,” Max said. “You’re great together. Two special people. I owe you, you know. You and Sara… you two saved my life. I don’t know how I can ever repay you. I’m just so grateful.”
“We’re just glad we could help, Max. I’m very pleased with your progress. You’re a new man now. You’ve been transformed.”
“Well, God sent me an angel one day. He sent me your Sara. There’s no way I can just ignore that. He gave me a second chance, so I have to take it. I have to make a better life for Boone and me. We’re gonna make it, you know.”
“Yes, you are.”
Chip and Max continued talking about Max’s progress, his goals, and his hopes for the future. Throughout their conversation, Chip’s mind kept drifting to Sara. Max was making a remarkable recovery, one that wouldn’t have been possible without Sara’s help. It was clear that there was a much higher purpose at work. The plan was unfolding just as it was meant to, and Chip marveled at the way the God and the universe conspired to ma
ke something truly miraculous happen. He had always wanted to open up his own therapy office, but now he had an even better idea. This plan was even more perfect. He couldn’t wait to get home and share it with Sara.
After his session with Max was over, Chip packed up his laptop, shut off his office light, and locked up for the night. It was time to go home to his soon-to-be bride and set things in motion.
***
The lights were dim, and the mood was cozy. Sara had moved in with Chip shortly after he proposed. He was glad she had felt comfortable at his house from the very beginning. She had also admitted that living with him would give her a fresh start, away from the place where she had tried to commit suicide.
After Sara moved in, she and Chip had selected a few special touches to transform the house from his bachelor pad into their home. It was still decorated in earth tones—forest green, tan, brown, and burgundy. They both agreed those colors brought them comfort. Now, the house also featured a beautiful painting of a beach at sunset above the stone fireplace. A few clay vases throughout the home held burgundy roses. And, a sculpture of a medieval castle sat on the oak end table.
As he and Sara sat together that night, sipping chardonnay on the brown leather sofa, Chip was prepared to share his latest idea with her and offer her a proposal. He wasn’t sure what she would say and felt a little nervous that she might turn him down. But he needed to suggest it. He had a really good feeling about his plan.
“Sara, I need to talk to you about something,” he said hopefully.
“Well, that’s ironic, because I need to talk to you, too,” Sara said. “I have an idea.”
“Funny. I have an idea, too,” he said, chuckling.
“Let me guess…” she said. Sara placed her finger next to her lips and looked up toward the sky. Chip admired the way her blue eyes glowed like a small child’s, filled with awe and wonder.
“Go for it,” he urged, nudging her with his shoulder.
“You think we should join forces, work together,” she said confidently.
“Why yes, as a matter of fact, I do.”
“You want to go into private practice and have me join you.”
“Indeed I do. What do you think you are, psychic or something?”
“You know it,” she laughed. “Seriously, though, I think it’s a great idea. I was going to suggest that you could open your own office, and I could serve as your assistant or something.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of my partner,” he said. “I’ll be the primary psychologist and offer therapy to clients, and you can be the resident psychic, imparting your intuitive wisdom and encouraging others who are on the brink of suicide. I don’t just want to open a counseling center, Sara. I have a better, bigger plan. I want to open a suicide prevention center.”
Sara’s eyes filled with tears. “Chip, that’s brilliant. I love the idea!” she exclaimed.
“And I want to call it the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Center.”
“Yellow ribbon? That reminds me of when Boone told me he liked yellow—or should I say well-woh—ribbons when we met him at the campground.”
“Yes, yellow ribbons stand for suicide prevention. I never told you this, but Connor gave me one during one of his visits. It was a clue he left for me to figure out what I needed to do. I learned what it stood for and knew it meant I needed to help save you from taking your own life.”
“Wow, I didn’t realize Connor left you that clue. How very interesting.”
She wrinkled her forehead in contemplation before continuing, “And now you must realize that saving my life wasn’t all you’re supposed to do. The yellow ribbon means so much more than that.”
“Right.” Chip nodded in agreement. “You and I, Sara, we’re meant to save people. A lot of people. We can do it together. It’s like… our life’s purpose.”
“Wow,” Sara said, her eyes widening in amazement. “It’s incredible how we’re being guided without even realizing it, and how intertwined our lives are.”
“Speaking of intertwined… There’s something I want to do to you right now.” Chip set his wine glass down on the coffee table; he took Sara’s glass and placed it there as well. He smiled mischievously and pushed her down on the sofa. He began kissing her neck and breathing in the smell of her perfume.
“But, Chip,” she teased. “We’re not married yet.”
“Sara,” Chip began. “Will you do me the great honor of being my wife, my partner, and my lover?”
“You don’t want much, do you?” she said, giggling.
He shrugged. “I just want you.”
“Well, I already said yes to the marriage part. We’re getting married next week, remember?”
“Of course I remember. How could I forget about what will soon be the best day of my life?” he asked.
“I’ll have to think about the business partner and lover roles.”
“Oh really?” he said, raising his eyebrows.
She laughed a hearty, joyful laugh that filled the room with warmth and happiness. He loved when she teased him. The dark cloud that once hung over Sara was long gone, and her newfound lightheartedness always made him smile.
He unhooked her bra and began kissing her back and shoulders. She caressed his neck and ran her fingers through his hair, as Chip enjoyed the gentle tingles that ran through his body. He couldn’t wait to marry this woman.
CHAPTER 19
JOINING OF HEARTS
Their wedding day was just as beautiful as any scene Chip had ever witnessed during his visits to Heaven with Connor. The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was a vivid shade of blue, laced with fluffy white clouds. The leaves on the trees were just beginning to turn colors, their golden edges rippling in the breeze. It was picture-perfect, the kind of fall day that no one could ever get enough of. Sara stood on the beach, wearing a beautiful white linen dress and a ring of fresh gardenias in her hair. The sunlight cast a brilliant glow on her reddish-orange curls. It was as if they were on fire. She was absolutely radiant.
Standing next to her in spirit was her mother, Star, in a periwinkle-blue dress encased in a misty haze of white. On the opposite side stood Connor and Celeste, smiling proudly as the parents of the groom. Chip wondered if Sara could see or sense them now. She finally knew the afterlife and spirit world were real, but as far as he knew, she had yet to actually see spirits with her own eyes during her waking hours. So far, she only had visions and dream visitations with the deceased. And, of course, she had had that life-changing conversation with her mother in Heaven during her near-death experience. He hoped that Sara would one day witness the miracles he had delighted in since childhood. He wanted nothing more than for her to be blissfully happy and aware of the unseen beauty that was all around her.
Chip approached his bride and took his place beside her. “You look gorgeous,” he said, caressing her cheek and chin.
“Thank you,” Sara replied. “You’re pretty handsome yourself.” Then she leaned over and whispered. “My mother is here.”
“Oh,” Chip said with a smirk. Maybe he had gotten his wish after all. “How do you know?”
“I heard her voice say she was proud of me. And then I smelled lilacs, her favorite flower.”
“Well, you’re right. She’s standing next to you, smiling. I can see her.”
Sara closed her eyes as a gentle breeze drifted across both of them. Chip knew what she was doing. She was practicing the meditation he had taught her last year at the campsite. She was trying to connect more deeply with her mom. Her eyelids fluttered, and Sara opened her eyes and turned to her right. The biggest smile crept across her face, and a tear softly rolled down her cheek.
“Hi, Mom,” she said quietly.
“Sara, you see her, too!” Chip said excitedly.
“I do. And you know what else? Your parents are here, too.”
“Yes, they are. I’m so happy you can see them. This is the best wedding gift I could ask for.”
; “There’s more,” Connor said, suddenly speaking. “We have something for you.”
“Oh my gosh, I just heard him speak!” Sara shrieked. “This is incredible.”
“And to think you used to believe spirit communication wasn’t real,” Chip laughed.
Connor pinned a shiny yellow ribbon onto Chip’s black suit lapel. Celeste carefully placed another on Sara’s dress.
“We will help guide and support you on your life’s mission,” Celeste said. “You are not only joining your lives and hearts together today, you are uniting all those who are hurting and feel they have no way out. They will have a source of strength and hope for the future. Together, you two will save so many lives. We are all so proud of you.”
“Thank you. I’m honored to finally meet you both,” Sara said, instinctively reaching out to try to shake their hands. Even though Celeste and Connor no longer had physical bodies, Sara was astonished that somehow she could feel their energy pulsating through her hand. She politely smiled and bowed her head before them.
But Connor and Celeste would have no part of the formal gestures. They both heartily embraced Sara as if she were their own child. She could again feel an astonishing wave of energy. But this time it surrounded her, wrapping her body in a cocoon of soothing peace and unconditional love. Chip smiled as he watched the surprised but happy look on his bride-to-be’s face.
“I’ve heard so much about you both,” Sara said enthusiastically. “Your story just touched my heart. Your love and devotion to each other are truly inspirational.”
“Thank you,” said Celeste. “Your story with Chip is also a beautiful one. His love saved you.”
“Speaking of love, where’s Dad?” Chip asked.
“Oh, Dave’s coming, Chip. He’ll make his entrance soon. Don’t you worry,” Celeste said with a wink.
The sun began to fade, and feathery white clouds wandered across the sky. A gentle, misty drizzle fell for a few seconds, and a seagull flew overhead and squawked, drawing their attention to the heavenly skies above. As Chip and Sara looked up, they saw a beautiful rainbow. Its colors were so glorious and vibrant. Chip had never seen a rainbow so prominent and bright on Earth. But he had seen one like this before in Heaven, during his otherworldly visits with Connor as a small child.
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