Ending 1) The day became a hazey blur of unreal conversations, interviews, bland and meaningless words of support, flooding emotions and so many tears. Time didn’t mean anything. Yet his feet, feeling heavier today than they ever had, led him straight to the church at half past eleven. There was no-one and nothing there. He stood, stunned for a minute.
Then the church bells began playing. They rang truer and more beautifully than any bells there had ever been. They were laughing and crying with joy and the sound spread throughout the town. Derek turned towards the steeple where a warm golden glow shone. He saw a four angels, their wings of silver and light. The light grew and grew, the bells rang. And Derek knew everything would be okay.
Ending 2) The day became a hazey blur of unreal conversations, interviews, bland and meaningless words of support, flooding emotions and so many tears. Time didn’t mean anything. Yet his feet, feeling heavier this night than they ever had, led him straight to the church.
The angle stood there, still. He bore a smile of understanding and compassion. As Derek approached, the angel reached out his arms and the light entered his body. It was like warm water running through every sinew and fibre. The Angel nodded and smiled. Then with a slight nod of his head, he gestured to Derek. Behind you. Turn around.
Standing in front of him was Ian, face full of love and joy. A light came from inside, just like the angel. This was the most beautiful moment of his entire life. His son, so beautiful, so strong and gentle. The light intensified and rose off the ground. His son, the angel, spread his silver wings. They seemed to stretch form horizon to horizon and encompass the whole world. Then they curled and folded, holding Derek in a soft embrace. The sadness he had been feeling flooded out of him in infinite waves as time stood still. And with every shake of his body, the angel, his son, let a tear fall. Large beautiful tears that fell though years of grief and joy to earth. And as each tear fell, the pain was gradually washed away. He drew a heavy sigh. The angel’s wings folded back and the light and air rushed in. And Derek could now hear the hosts of heaven. The angel stood up and bowed, smiling benevolently. He straightened and stepped back. Derek knew that this was goodbye. Finally.
“Goodbye, Ian, my son. I love you so much.” And he was full of happiness as the angel rose into the bright, clear night to join the diamonds of the sky.
Ending 3) The hours of the night passed slowly. First paramedics then the Doctor passed the final, inevitable judgement and Ian left the house for the last time.
The light bled in through the closed curtains as the day approached. The merry morning chirpings of the garden birds began; The refuse collectors rumbled noisily down the street; The first post clattered through the letterbox and onto the floor. The world was continuing as it always had.
Derek sat at the kitchen table, staring into mid-air. Marge dropped the mail onto the table.
“Okay?” she asked.
“Well, I guess. But, despite everything I’ve seen, I still can’t help but be sad. Is it selfish? To know that we changed so many lives, yet I want him. He’s up there somewhere, I know without a doubt. He’ll never worry, never cry, never feel pain. He’ll never want for anything. But I want him here. My little boy.”
She squeezed his shoulders and cuddled him.
He picked up the post and shuffled through the letters. Nothing interesting. What did he expect? But there was a letter. The last envelope had a pearlescent sheen. The bright gold writing ran like a seam through the paper. There was no postmark, no stamp. No address. It just said DEREK.
His heart jumped.
“What is it? Derek? What’s that. Open it. Open it!”
He found that his hands were shaking too much so he passed it to Marge. She slid a nail under the seal at the back and gently pulled. The envelope sprang open and a gold silver light shone for a brief moment.
“Shall I read it? Yes I’ll read it.” Marge pulled out the letter, held it up and read.
“Derek
We feel your sorrow so deeply. Loss is hard to bear in the mortal world yet emotions are set free once the chains of materialism have been broken. We feel your sadness.
We rejoice for we have received a great gift. Affirmation of the good that thrives within each and every man and woman. The Universe is a better place.
Despite your worries, you achieved what few have ever have. Only the chosen few have walked the path you decided upon and few have found the choices so straight forward.
We rejoiced at the birth of a new star yet we are sorrowful. For we know that we must suffer the same loss as you.
Put down the letter and walk to your son’s room.
And from then on, live your life as you always have; with love in your heart; and you will forever be rich”
The letter was not signed in any physical way. There was an emotional stamp that could not be seen. It welled up inside him, his heart, his throat, his eyes. It crept down his back and he shivered. Marge shivered too. She put the letter down and turned towards the stairs. Derek followed her. They took each step slowly, pondering the letter, wondering what this new lesson would teach them.
They reached the landing and there was a warm orange glow coming from Ian’s room. They looked at each other. Derek reached out a hand and Marge took it and grasped tightly. They swung the door open and stepped in.
And their beautiful boy, with bright blond hair reflecting the orange glow, rosy red cheeks puffed with excitement and happiness, sat up. “Mummy. Daddy! I’m back!”
