When Isabel first arrived in heaven, she was determined to go back to Earth. Make things right. For others, and for herself. But she was exhausted beyond measure, and frankly, the thought of staying up here with her mother sounded pretty good to her.
“Yeah, about that other business,” she said to Clara. “I’ve changed my mind about going back. I’d like to stay, if it’s okay.” She looked at her mother and smiled, but her mother did not smile back.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, my darling,” her mother said.
Isabel looked at her mother, and then turned to Clara. “But why not? It’s what you wanted until I insisted I be allowed to go back. Well, I’ve changed my mind. It’s all good. Right?”
Clara shook her head. “There’s the matter of your client, Oliver Santori. You were supposed to share the evidence that will clear him with your co-counsel, Paul Martin. On his own, Mr. Martin will be unable to clear Mr. Santori of the charges, and he’ll end up going to prison. This will change his life plan and will set off a chain reaction of events that will cause untold damage to the universe. You must go back.”
Isabel sighed heavily. “How long do I have to go back for?”
“Just for the day.” Clara tried to sound cheerful.
Crap, that meant she’d have to die again. “Okay, but here’s the deal. I get to remember everything I’ve learned here, including the fact that I will die at the end of the day. I can do or say whatever I want.” No more being a paralyzed mute, or having words she didn’t want to say spew from her mouth involuntarily.
Her spirit guides exchanged looks, and then Clara nodded. “Agreed. But in return you have to promise to return here tomorrow night. The accident has to happen exactly as it is supposed to.”
At least she knew that dying wasn’t scary. She’d left her body before she knew what had hit her. Saying goodbye to everyone would be the hard part.
Isabel heaved a deep sigh. “Okay, let’s roll.”
She hugged her mother and, despite the fact that she would see her the following night, she cried. “Somehow saying I love you doesn’t feel like it covers everything you are to me, Mom, but...I love you. More than you’ll ever know.”
“I know, my darling. I know.” She held Isabel close and whispered into her ear. “Tell him he has my blessing to marry her. And give him yours. It’s what he needs to be happy again.”
Isabel nodded through her tears. “Goodbye, Mom.”
“See you soon, sweetheart.”
Isabel stepped through the cloud wall and into the dark vortex.