Adults

What have I done? There will be no forgiveness. How could I have so foolishly attempted this? Should I turn myself in, plead for mercy? Will it be considered murder? Some would think life itself had been extinguished through my ignorance. Ignorance is no excuse. In an instant so much that was held dear was gone forever. A confession could not be avoided. “Honey, I think I deleted your phone data.”

The lights came on as the bell hit. Quickly sliding down the brass pole, into boots and coat. The door rises and the rig rolls out. Smoke and the fire’s glow in the night sky. Dragging hose up three flights, darkening the fire. Then the smoke clears and you see. Three little ones and a mom. Gone before you left the firehouse, right? Another haunting image to carry in your mind for life.

“Your turn,” Ted declares.

“No,” Jim protests, “I did it last time.”

A huff precedes Jim’s move – an eight of spades. Ted smirks, laying down his ace. While they play, dragging out their War, investigators bustle outside.

“Oh, fine.”

Jim stands with translucent limbs. Floating by the windows, he gives a ghoulish moan that terrifies today’s visitors. They scatter as Ted chuckles. Jim frowns.

“Haunting houses just isn’t what it used to be.”

I was thirteen years old. My abusive alcoholic father's daughter from his first marriage just had a baby. Previously estranged, she was flying out to stay with us so he could meet his new granddaughter. My father, only ever happy at my expense, when he could be cruel to me, pranced around the house, gleefully chanting in my face, "My real daughter is coming!" Thirty years later, I am still thirteen years old...

My lawn mower was being repaired. A friend who lived several blocks away said that I could borrow his mower on Saturday. He would leave his garage unlocked. I drove over picked up the mower, cut our grass, and returned it. However, as I was putting the mower in the garage I saw my friend laughing hysterically next door. Epiphany -- Big Mistake! I had borrowed his neighbor's mower. I quickly left.

We watched Steve play craps last night; he said we brought him luck.
Now we sat at the hotel breakfast table.
Gloria, Irv, Nancy, Steve, Sharon, Me.
Introductions concluded. New friends made.
Bagels buttered.
Sunshine poured down over the Caribbean. Divi-divi trees twisted southwesterly.
""Where are you from?""
""Union."" ""Hillsborough."" ""West Orange.""
“West Orange?” Irv queried.
“Yes,” I answered.
“I have a cousin who lives there.” Irv announced. “Dorothy Goldberg.”
“That’s my mother!”

Four-year old Drew ran into the house crying and holding a book.

""What's wrong?"" asked Dad.

""Teacher gave this book to have you read to me.  Waaah!  It has pictures.  I hate picture books!  They are for babies.  Why I read this book to Lukey last week.  He likes the pictures.  I don't like someone reading to me.  I read to myself.  And no pictures!"

Jed and I walked toward the tree on solid ground.
We almost got there.  But we had to turn back.
Coming back, I carried Jed.  He was hurt bad.
The ground was now very moist with grey mounds to climb over.
I carried Jed to the trees where we started.  I buried him there.
In the rain we walked away.  What will I tell Jed’s mama?

This was a life changing decision. It had been love at first sight. Something this good only came once.

Dad wouldn’t approve. Won’t like his breed, a nocturnal predator, not known for intelligence.

What of children? Mother knew his kind. So macho, so independent, only paying attention to you and your offspring when it suited.

Breathing deeply, she braced to battle for her chosen companion.

“A cat? You want to adopt a cat?”

When Troy realized he had reached the ultimate level of humanity and that this was his last rodeo on earth, his euphoria quickly turned to panic.

With each reincarnation, he had worked at perfecting himself; honesty, patience, empathy were all at peak levels.  

Now he had to figure out how to undo all the goodness he had worked lifetimes to perfect in himself.  

How on earth was he going to ensure his return?