Van Praagh - Unfinished business : what the dead can teach us about life

What the Dead Can Teach Us About Life

To Linda Tomchin

My earthly angel who assists me

in nurturing the minds

and opening the hearts of the masses.

For you, I am forever grateful.

G inny Meyer looked at her watch. The large hand closed in on the eleven while the small one touched the five. Neil would be coming home from work any second now, she thought. Ben wouldnt be alone for too long. Besides, Ben and his little friend Andrew were glued to the television set. Their eyes were probably glazed over as they watched the latest installment of the wildly successful Japanese cartoon Pokmon. For kids lost in the world of Pokmon, moms are just background noise. The boys didnt even notice Ginny when she told them she was going over to Nancys house for a few minutes. Just as Ben was obsessed with his cartoon, Ginny was obsessed with cooking. She just finished making a brand-new turkey meatloaf recipe and couldnt wait to get Nancys reaction to it.

Nancy was the ideal next-door neighbor. Besides sharing recipes, she would often lend a listening ear or be available to grab something at the market or pick up the kids from school. In a way, it was like having a sister close by. This warmed Ginnys heart, because her own sister lived two thousand miles away, and Nancy became the perfect substitute. Unfortunately, due to family, church, and work obligations, their together moments were sporadic, so what little time they could muster to catch up on girl talk was sacred.

Nancy washed down her bite of meatloaf with some light, dry Chablis. She never drank during the day, but this was a special occasionthe girls hadnt shared a moment together in over a month. Nancy smiled warmly at Ginny, and immediately Ginny knew her friend approved of her latest gastronomical creation. Ginny was so proud of herself.

The sound of a car door slamming brought them both back from their culinary moment. Ginny knew that it was probably Neil. As much as she would have loved to finish her visit with Nancy, she got an immediate pang in her stomach. She knew Neil would be wondering where she was, and he may not have fully appreciated the concept of running next door to share a new recipe. The friends hugged good-bye as Nancy told Ginny, I understand. All part of the job.

Ginny sprinted across the front lawn to her house. She looked to see if Neils truck was in the driveway. As she reached for the front door, it suddenly snapped open and little Andrew practically ran right through her. He turned and stopped, looked up at her for a moment, and continued his race down the walkway. Ginny didnt give much thought to what might be bothering the little boy. Maybe Ben said something that hurt his feelings.

Ginny entered the house and heard the television blaring way too loud. She yelled out for Ben and Neil, then grabbed the remote and turned down the sound. Instantly there was a deafening silence. Everything seemed to stand still. She walked over to the staircase and repeatedly called out their names. Nothing. Ginnys insides began to tumble. Something was wrong.

She heard a grunt upstairs, and she sprinted up the steps calling out for Neil to answer. As she reached the top landing, she was thrown back by a bloodcurdling scream coming out of Bens room. When she looked inside the room, she saw the unthinkable. In front of her was a blood-drenched Neil holding the lifeless body of their son. Neil was staring at the ceiling screaming in agony. Bullets were strewn on the floor next to Neils nine-millimeter revolver, the gun Ginny demanded he hide just two days earlier, so their son wouldnt play with it. But it was too late. Words were impossible, feelings immeasurable. They both tugged at the small boys frame, begging for his life, but he was long gone.

And so began the longest day of their lives.