Jump When Ready

by David Pandolfe

  My father’s eyes widened, then his face went red with anger. “That son of a—” He stopped and took a breath to calm down. “Yes, my brother and I are close. We always have been.”

  The detective nodded. “What makes this case different is that the perpetrator is really smart. That’s not how usually it goes. You’d be amazed. But this Burke guy is some kind of tech genius. MIT graduate and all that. Sounds like he had the whole thing incredibly mapped out. From what we’ve gathered, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he’d gotten away with it.”

  “Then what happened?” my mother said.

  “Kind of a miracle, if you ask me. The officer in Trent, Gary Roberts, said he just got a feeling about things. He said something kept nagging at him so he went with his instincts. I have to say, you’re two lucky parents. Most of these cases don’t end well.” The detective checked his watch, then handed my parents his card. “Call if you need me.”

  The detective walked down the hall, not turning back while my parents hugged each other and closed their eyes.

  ~~~

  Bethany woke up that evening as the sun was setting behind the hospital windows. My parents had taken advantage of her time spent resting to arrange a family celebration. While Bethany had slept, they’d gone out and bought a cake and hung up streamers and a banner reading WELCOME HOME! Dr. Jackson was beyond happy and he’d also explained that it might be the best thing if they didn’t spend the night camped out in the hospital room.

  “Bethany is going to be fine, but we’ll need to keep her here for a day or two,” he’d said. “For observation, mostly. She’s likely to show some withdrawal symptoms after being kept drugged like that. My advice is to find a hotel where you can get some rest.”

  My parents seemed fine with that and my father booked the best suite nearby at the Hyatt. The plan was to head back to Richmond as soon as possible but what mattered most right now was enjoying the moment. Finally, my family had a reason to feel thankful and happy again.

  I have to admit, I wasn’t totally okay watching my family celebrate together after the hospital staff left them to themselves. I felt invisible, a memory. Even worse, someone whose death would always cause them embarrassment and guilt. It was great to see everyone happy but I’d really hoped to set the record straight.

  “Are you sure it’s okay for her to have cake?” my mother asked, even as she handed Bethany a slice.

  “It’s fine,” my father said. “Dr. Jackson gave us the green light for having fun. Try to relax, honey.”

  “Dad’s right, Mom,” my brother said. “Bethany is fine now. Right, Bethany?”

  Bethany smiled back at them. “I feel great. Give me a fork!”

  Bethany dug into her cake and everybody laughed.

  “I know I said this a million times already,” my mother said, “but we are so happy to have you back with us.”

  “Say it as many times as you like,” my father said. “Our girl is safe and sound. We have so much to be thankful for.”

  “All together again,” my brother said, through a mouthful of cake.

  He didn’t mean anything by it. He just didn’t consider his words carefully. But the effect wasn’t good. They all fell silent.

  It took Bethany a moment, then she stopped eating. She looked at the three of them. “It’s not what you think,” she said. “Henry’s here too.”

  No one knew what to do with that. My mother’s eyes started to fill and my father stared at the floor. My brother looked at the television across the room, which wasn’t even on.

  “Guys, look at me,” Bethany said. “Henry saved me, with his friends. It’s true!”

  This was the moment, if there would ever be one. I closed my eyes and thought about Jamie, Nikki and Curtis, hoping they’d show up.

  “Honey, that’s so nice of you to imagine,” my mother said, “but that police officer rescued you. Thank God he did. Who knows what might have happened if he hadn’t come along and found you?”

  “What Bethany means,” my father said, “is that Henry is here with us in spirit, right?”

  “Exactly!” Bethany said. “I bet he’s here right now. Henry, are you here?”

  My family exchanged nervous glances. You could tell they thought she’d gone insane.

  Bethany ignored them and searched the room with her eyes. “Henry, you are here, right? I know you are. I can feel it.”

  “Maybe we should call the doctor,” my mother whispered.

  “She’s been through a lot,” my father whispered back. “Try to be patient.”

  Of course, Bethany noticed them trying not to be overheard. “I know what you must be thinking, but I’m not crazy. Henry talks to me. I can hear him. He’s the one who tricked them into not drugging me the other night.”

  My parents shot concerned looks at each other.

  “But you were heavily drugged, dear,” my mother said. “That’s what almost killed you. Now, maybe we should let you get some rest.”

  “No, I mean a few nights ago,” Bethany said. “Honest, somehow Henry managed to trick them into not drugging me. Then his friend appeared too!”

  “It’s okay,” my father said in his most soothing voice. “Really, everything is going to be fine. Maybe we should ask the nurse to check —”

  “No! Really, you need to listen. Henry wants me to tell you something. He told me last night, but I just remembered now.”

  This was too much for my parents. My mother started to cry and my father got to his feet. “Okay, I think that’s enough for now,” he said. “You must be very tired. We should probably go get some rest too. Okay, honey? We’ll be back first thing in the morning.”

  Bethany sat up in bed. “You need to believe me! I promised Henry I would tell you. Henry, I know you’re here. Tell them yourself!”

  I stood staring, frozen and helpless as my parents and brother started toward the door. All I could think about was when I’d been at home that week before getting Banished. They’d never truly believed it was me then, so why would they now?

  I kept looking around, waiting.

  Bethany started to cry with frustration. “Henry, please!” she called out.

  In that same instant, Jamie, Nikki and Curtis appeared standing next to me. I hadn’t been entirely sure, but they’d somehow known that I needed them. What I hadn’t expected at all was for Simon and Naomi to show up too.

  Naturally, Nikki spoke up first. “What are you waiting for, dork? Do something!”

  Now that they were all here with me, maybe I could do something. Maybe we could together.

  I crossed the room and stood in the doorway facing my father, mother and brother. “Mom, Dad, John, wait! It’s me, Henry. I know you can hear me.”

  They stopped in their tracks. It was strange to see all three of them shake their heads in disbelief. My mother and father looked at each other, checking to see if the other had just experienced something strange.

  I focused on my mother. “Mom, ask Dad if he heard something.”

  My mother hesitated, then said, “Honey, did you just hear something?”

  I turned to my father. “You’re not crazy. You weren’t before back at the house, either. It really is me. Now, be honest with Mom.”

  “Well, I might have,” my father said.

  “Dad, be honest!”

  “I mean, yes, I think I did. What did you hear?”

  “Well, I have to admit, I thought I heard Henry,” my mother said.

  To my surprise, John started laughing. “Holy, crap. It really was him,” he said under his breath.

  Across the room, Bethany stared, her head cocked. “What’s going on?”

  Nobody answered her. My mother, father and brother remained where they stood.

  “Did you just hear Henry?” A smile spread across Bethany’s face. “You did, didn’t you?”

  “Well, something strange does seem to have just happened,” my father admitted.

  “Do you think there might be a gas leak
or something going on with this room?” my mother asked. “I wonder if we might be having some sort of group hallucination. Maybe I should call the nurses’ desk.”

  “Typical living people,” Nikki said. “They don’t believe anything they don’t see with their own eyes.”

  “Let’s see what we can do about that,” I said. “Mom, Dad, John? Can you all go and stand next to Bethany’s bed? Please go along with it for my sake.”

  Really, what could they do but honor the request of their dead son? They did as I asked.

  This time I spoke to Bethany alone. “Now, please tell them. I think it will freak them out less coming from you. And we definitely have their attention.”

  Bethany made eye contact with my father, mother and brother. “Guys, Henry wants you to know he didn’t commit suicide. What happened at the river was an accident. He did something stupid—”

  “Hey!”

  “Sorry, he used poor judgment going to the river that day. But never once, for a moment, did he intend for anything bad to happen or to cause us any pain. Do you understand?”

  My father, mother and brother nodded like five-year-olds listening to their teacher.

  “Tell them about my friends,” I said.

  “Henry has some new friends,” Bethany said. “They’re dead just like he is. They came to see me when I was being held at that cabin.”

  I considered pointing out that really we were between lives, but wondered if that would only make things that much more confusing. I decided to let it go.

  “Tell them their names,” I said. “Nikki, Jamie, Curtis, Naomi and Simon.”

  Bethany’s eyes lit with excitement, then she laughed. “There’s more this time?”

  I couldn’t help laugh too. “Yes, they all came—all the kids I told you about.”

  Bethany told my parents and brother who was there with them, then I kept whispering to her so she could keep explaining things.

  “Nikki is what they call a Reader,” Bethany said. “Which means she can pick up on what we’re thinking. Um, I guess Henry wants Nikki to do something. Hang on.” Bethany waited, my parents and brother staring at her. “Okay, Henry says Nikki just read your thoughts. For example, Mom, you’re thinking about that time when you were a teenager and smoked pot. How you had really strange experiences. This isn’t like that. This is really happening.” Bethany stopped and looked at my mother. “Really, Mom, you smoked weed? You are so totally never going to live that one down.”

  My mother gasped.

  “Dad, you’re thinking that maybe all of this is somehow connected to that couple who abducted me. Like they somehow hypnotized me or something and now I’ve convinced you too. Wrong.”

  My father’s mouth fell open.

  “John, are you really thinking about Kathy Adkins at a time like this? Get your hormones under control, will you?”

  John’s face went beet red.

  “Jamie is here too. He’s what they call an Emerger. I think this will help reinforce what Henry is trying to tell you. On the count of three, he’s going to appear.”

  “I really shouldn’t do this,” Jamie said.

  Curtis surprised me by saying, “It’s okay. Martha said it might be necessary.”

  “Try to dress up a little,” I said.

  Bethany counted, “One…two…three!”

  “What the hell, then,” Jamie said. He Emerged wearing cotton slacks, an oxford shirt and a blazer. He waved politely at my family. They stared back, their mouths hanging open.

  Jamie disappeared again.

  Nikki turned to Jamie. “Wow, preppie. Kind of suits you, actually.”

  “A curse upon you,” Jamie said. “That was just for Henry’s family.” He was already wearing jeans and a black T-shirt again. Band logo, the Clash.

  “There’s also Simon and Naomi,” Bethany said. “Henry says they can’t prove they’re here. At least, not yet. So, I guess you’ll just have to take his word for it.”

  Just then, I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Simon smiling proudly. “There have been some recent developments,” he said. “Naomi, why don’t you go first.”

  “Okay,” Naomi said, then she vanished.

  A moment later, I was just as amazed as my family to see a flock of bright yellow butterflies appear out of nowhere—ten, at least, although it was hard to be sure. We all watched as they circled the ceiling three times, then faded away almost as quickly as they’d appeared.

  “Ahem,” Simon said. “My turn.” He pointed at the dark television mounted to the wall. Suddenly, it came to life, the screen fuzzy at first, the sound nothing but crackling static. Then Simon appeared on the screen—blurry, definitely, but Simon all the same. He smiled, winked and looked around the room. Then the TV went blank again.

  I wasn’t the only one staring mutely at that screen, not sure what to think.

  Naomi giggled. “There hasn’t been a chance to tell you,” she said. “But it looks like I can make things infest.”

  “Manifest,” Simon said. “And, somewhat ironically, it turns out I have a talent with electronic devices that weren’t even invented when I was in my last life. It works on computers and cell phones too.”

  It took me a few moments to get over my shock. It also occurred to me that Nikki’s prediction might have been right. Simon’s new annoyance capabilities were potentially limitless. I managed to get my act together and looked at Bethany, who sat waiting while I decided what I wanted her to say next. After I told her, she nodded.

  “Lastly, there’s Curtis,” Bethany said. “He’s what’s known as a Manipulator. Can you please step over to the bed? Henry’s going to ask Curtis to do something.”

  I asked Bethany to open the pad on her bedside table, the one left by the detective earlier.

  “Nice move,” Curtis said. “I was trying to think of something but billowing the curtains didn’t seem like it would be all that impressive.”

  My parents and brother stepped hesitantly forward. They watched wide-eyed as the pen floated into the air and hovered over the paper.

  Curtis looked at me. “Hmmm. Not quite sure.”

  “I am,” I said. “Tell them this.”

  Then, one by one, words slowly started to appear. When Curtis finished, he set the pen down, leaving my family staring at what I’d asked him to write.

  I love you all very much. Please take good care of each other. I think it’s probably time to go now. Think of me and I’ll be there with you. Love, Henry.

  15

  Ready to Jump

  One thing I can definitely say about being between lives is that people give you some space when you ask them to. I don’t know how long I sat out by my pond thinking about my life and afterlife, but during that time no one bothered me. Even though we had a meeting scheduled for whenever I felt ready, they let me be.

  Leaving my family for what essentially amounted to the last time had been really hard. I mean, sure, I’d look in on them occasionally if I was still allowed to go home. But would that help or hurt? I didn’t know. Either way, eventually we’d have to move on. Even if it took decades, that day was going to come. It’s funny how we try not to think about it much when we’re alive, even though we know the same thing is going to happen. But at least from what Martha had told me, it sounded like we’d all end up together again someday. That part made me feel better.

  I also found myself thinking about why we ended up with whoever we did, in future lives or between them. It made sense that you’d try to find people you’d loved in the past. At the same time, you’d meet new people along the way. But why had I ended up with my new friends just in time to rescue Bethany? Like Nikki said, it was like the planets aligning.

  Had it all been part of some big plan or totally random? But then, what if I’d listened to that guy who’d called out to me at the river? If I’d done that, I wouldn’t have drowned. If things had gone that way, I guess you could imagine that he’d been placed there for some reason just at the right
time. Or not. Maybe our being there for Bethany had just been a matter of luck and timing, something that just happened to work out, but wasn’t necessarily meant to. Or maybe it was something more than that. I guessed I’d never really be sure.

  Another thought that kind of freaked me out was that if I hadn’t died, how could I have saved Bethany? Did I have to die for that to happen? Then again, if I hadn’t died she probably wouldn’t have gone out to meet Will that Friday night. We would have all been home eating pizza and watching a movie. Maybe Will never would have pulled his plan off otherwise. So, in a way my dying resulted in Bethany being both abducted and rescued. Was all of this chance or was everything connected in some way I couldn’t see?

  I know what you’ve probably been thinking—that after you died everything you ever wondered about would suddenly make sense. That you’d have all the answers. Sorry to tell you, it just doesn’t work that way. In the afterlife, just like in life, you keep learning as you go, one step at a time. When you’re ready to learn more, you do. My guess is that there will always be mysteries remaining. Which is kind of cool, when you think about it.

  At one point, as I continued to think about things, I closed my eyes. I’m not sure for how long. A minute? A day? Hard to say. But when I opened them again my pond had been replaced by a calm ocean stretching toward the horizon. The sun was rising into the blue sky and graceful white gulls drifted upon a current of air. I got to my feet and started walking, knowing that the sandy path would eventually transform into a street leading toward a house full of very strange and wonderful new friends.

  ~~~

  Martha opened the door when I knocked. As usual, she appeared relaxed and peaceful. She smiled one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen.

  “How are you?” she said.

  That moment of opening my eyes to see an unexpected ocean remained with me. “I think I’m okay now.”

  “Yes, I can see that you are. You’ve been through a lot, I know. Please, come in.”

  I followed Martha into her living room, where Curtis sat waiting for the meeting to begin. It seemed strange that he’d shown up first. Despite everything that had happened recently, I just figured it wasn’t his style.