Stupid, stupid stupid. She had done it again, but this time it might be a permanant thing, no coming back. She loved the high she got when the drugs first hit her system. But this time she may have over done it. Feeling foolish, ashe struggled for some clarity, and found herself looking directly into the face of Death. she knew it was Death because of his cowl and sickle. And of course the fact that he was the ugliest thing she had ever see.
"Hi there death. I guess that maybe you think you might be here for me. Well dont bother, I aint going. I been worse then this, and Im not ready. So go on your merry or unmerry way and find someone else to bug. This gal isnt ready yet." She struggled to curl herelf into an even tighter ball then she already was, and closed her eyes. This must be what heaven was like, she thought. All dreamy and floaty like this. She felt no pain, no nothing. Just dreamy and content. Why couldnt life be like this all the time? So much nicer when you didnt have to face all those ugly little life problems, like, money, rent, food, and such. Even the noise now was pleasant, kind of a calming buzz, she thought, this must be what white noice was, that nothing that people talked about hearing. Lifting her head she noticed death was still hovering nearby. Man, what a jerk, she thought. I already told him to get lost, I aint ready. Taking a breath that burned like fire, she turned to face him again.
"Why are you still here? Get lost, I said. I aint going with you. Its not my time. What do you think, that every person just waits to see you, and then is willing to leap into your arms so you can take them on that boat of yours, through some wet sticky fog, while you stand over them making them feel all worried or something? Not me, boyo, I aint ready, hear me? Not me no way."
Death continued to just look at the woman, wondering when she would finally just give it up. Her soul was strong, not wanting to go to hell, where it urely had been before given another chance. But this soul had blown it again, and knew it. It was not going to go easy.
"What is it with you huh? Cant you just leave me alone. Go on to someone else who wants to go with you. You got nothing better to do then just stare at me. You never seen a woman before that stood up to you? That is isnt it? You aint never had any huh? You poor thing. the love of a good woman is worth more that trip to hell or heaven, I tell you. Just let me tell you, I know. I got the power to make men crawl on their knees to me, just begging for it, ya know? I guess you dont."
Death wondered if this woman would ever just shut up and get on with it. Silently he continued to look down at her. she was almost in a featile position. Wouldnt be long now. he was a busy personna, having little or no time to really get to know the souls when they were still "people"> he tuned her drival back in, wondering wht she could possibly still be talking about.
"And another thing, cant you wear something with more color, give you some class. i mean black is so dreary. A red cowl, now that would be something. Whats with the sickle ting, you dont do anything with it do you? Just carry it around for party affects?" The woman was feeling alot better, maybe this wasnt her time. She sat up and looked Death in the face.
"Not this time, I told ya. I been through this before, not this bad maybe, but close. I aint ready to go."
Curling her arms around her knewws, she patted the floor beside her. " Have a sit down, you must be tired by now. Want to talk or something. I bet you almost never get to talk to anyone. Can you? Talk? I mean, your all skeleton and stuff, but you got a mouth do you have a voice in there somewhere?"
Death continued to be amazed. This woman was talking to him, him, like he was well, human or something. Didnt she know that she was dying, that she had no choice when he came. the rules were always the same, he was called, they died, confued, lookd to him to take them where they need to go. What was wrong here? for that matter, what was wrong with him that he continued to listen to this woman and her silly conversation. He reached out his hand to her beckoning her with his eyes. The eyes always did it. It was the only thing that Himself gave Death to persuade these souls to come with him when he was called. The woman was looking directly into his eyes. but she wasnt reaching out for him, she didnt look confused, she didnt look lost, or even scared. She looked furious now.
"Whats it take you bage of bones? I am not coming with you, and thats final. I feel fine, really, and you have no power over the living. In fact you dont have much power at all. so either sit down and visit, or get lost. In fact why dont you ask God or whoever it is you work for, that you want a vacation or something. you probably could use it after all thse ears. I could show you somethings, boy could I. Live a little." At this little pun on words the woman shook with self imposed glee. " Ha, live alittle, get it?"
Death knew he wasnt supposed to talk to the living, only the souls of the passing, but this woman for some stange reason invoked in him a desire to break the rules. He wondered what Himself would do to him when he found out, for He always found out. damn it, He knew everything. but then if He knew everything, He also knew how unhappy Death was, and that he was looking for a better job. At that moment he sensed another angel arriving. turning he saw Satan. " Death just do it,talk to her. Whats He gonna do to you, that could be worse then what you already have to deal with?"
"Wow Your like way handsome, arent you? Are you really Satan? where are your horns and that forked tail? Arent you supposed to be all red and stuff?" Both Death and Satan turned to look at the woman in wonderment. Was she scared of nothing? The two of them turned their backs on the woman, who had by now, regained the power to stand on her feet, although it was not altogether certain that she would remain on them. The woman started to join in on this private twosome conversaton, so Satan reached out and put his hand up.This should ahve stopped the woman, but to the amazment of both angels, she continued to push her way up to Satan. In his face she scrutinized him carefully. Uncomfortable, Satan looked down and mumbled, " Death your on your own with this one.." And winked out.
" How did he do that? I wish I could do that. what a neat trick that would be. I could just get whatever I wanted, and disappear. You angels got made, I tell ya. Never hungry, or hurting, or needing to pee or anyting. I wish sometimes I could be like that." she still waited for Death to say something.
Big blue eyes, shot through with vein reddened road maps by drugs, impored him, nay begged him to please say something. He knew his resistance was crumbling. Death need to make a decision fast. Was he willing to risk the wrath of Himself and his troop of Angels to satisfy some morbid just realized curiousity? Caution to the wind, he reached out once more, to satisfy his job discription. Stunned he not only saw but felt this womans arms around his neck. Stiff with the ages of eternity upon his body he felt himself giving in. Hesitantly he raised his boney arm, and encicled her, delight showing on his face.. This was a hug! Amazing, he thought to himself. " Why would anyone want to leave such a wonderful feeling behind for the emptiness of my embrace." What wonderful things did these humans experience? And with a final nod of his cowled head, he spoke.
"I want a new job." Death informed the woman.
