Love in Another Town (10 page)

Jake was speechless. He simply sat there holding her hand, not knowing what to say, truly startled by her words.

Amy sighed lightly. ‘My mother's safe there. And she's happy now. She's with my father. She always missed him, you know.'

‘Yes,' he answered, still at a loss. He wondered whether it was the drugs talking. Certainly the doctors had given her a number of injections, although he was not sure what these were. She was so calm, so in control, and this was mind-boggling to him. He had known Amy most of his life, and he would never
have expected her to act like this after her mother's death. They had always been close, and why Amy wasn't hysterical he would never know. Yes, perhaps it was the drugs talking when she had said, a moment ago, that she had just died herself but had come back.

As if reading his mind, Amy remarked quietly, ‘I did die, Jake. Believe me.'

He stared at her, a small frown knotting his brow.

Amy sighed. ‘I'm tired. I want to go to sleep.'

‘I'll get the doctor, Amy.' He extracted his hand from hers, and rose, moved to the door. ‘I'll bring the nurse so that she can give you a drink of water.'

‘Thanks, Jake.'

He nodded and left the room.

‘It was the weirdest thing, Maggie,' Jake said quietly, looking across at her intently. ‘When Amy finally came out of her coma tonight she told me her mother was dead. She wasn't hysterical like I thought she would be, but calm. In control.'

Jake shook his head, took a swallow of his beer. ‘She also said something else that was strange.' He hesitated.

‘What was that?' Maggie asked.

‘She said her mother was with her father. In another place. A place she'd been to … she called it Paradise. I thought about her words all the way here from the hospital. How did Amy
know
her mother had died in the crash, Maggie? She's been unconscious since it happened.' He exhaled. ‘That's what mystifies me.'

Maggie sat back in her chair and regarded him for a long moment, then she said, ‘Maybe Amy knew her
mother had died because she did see her in another place, just as she claims.'

‘I'm not following you,' he answered, giving her an odd look.

‘It's possible that Amy had an NDE.'

‘What's an NDE?' Jake asked, lifting a brow.

‘Near-Death Experience. There's been a lot written about them in the last few years. Doctor Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the social scientist, who used to practise in Chicago, wrote an article on the terminally ill during her tenure at Billings Hospital at the University of Chicago. This eventually became the basis for her book,
On Death and Dying,
which I found fascinating. She wrote a number of other books, and appears to believe in Near-Death Experiences. As do many people actually, Jake. And doctors as well. Doctor Raymond Moody did the first anecdotal study of the phenomenon. Another expert is Doctor Melvin Morse who has also written several books about Near-Death Experiences.'

‘So you're saying that Amy told me the truth?'

‘Very possibly … most probably, actually.'

‘How do you explain an NDE, Maggie?'

‘I don't know, I don't think I can … because I don't really know enough, Jake,' Maggie murmured. ‘There are a few good books available, as I just mentioned. Perhaps you should read one.' Leaning forward slightly, pinning him with her eyes, Maggie went on, ‘Did Amy describe this place she went to?'

‘No. She just said it was very beautiful.'

‘Did she mention anything about light?'

‘Well, yes, she did. How did you know that?'

‘Because light, very bright light, always figures in
Near-Death Experiences. People feel as if they are embraced by the light. Some even think they are transformed by it.'

‘Amy did say it was a place I'd like because it was full of light.'

‘Anything else?'

‘No, I don't think so.'

‘And when exactly did she tell you this?'

‘The moment she woke up – when she first came out of the coma.'

‘Then perhaps she did have a Near-Death Experience. She certainly didn't have enough time to invent such a thing, invent that kind of story. Anyway, deep unconsciousness, or coma, is supposed to wipe the slate clean, wipe the mind clean,' Maggie pointed out.

‘Okay, so let's say Amy did have an NDE, what exactly does that mean? To her?'

‘It's an experience that she's not likely to forget, for one thing. Apparently people who have them never do, the experience stays with them always, for the rest of their lives. Of course they are as baffled by them as everyone else, and they generally look for meanings, special meanings behind them. An NDE does make people change … that brush with death and a glimpse of the afterlife does have an effect.'

‘You seem to know a lot about Near-Death Experiences, Maggie,' Jake murmured, eyeing her speculatively.

‘Well, I haven't had one myself, but I have talked with several people who have. I did quite a lot of charity work when I lived in Chicago, and I worked at a hospice for terminally ill people several afternoons a week for over four years. That's when I first heard
about NDEs. People recounted their experiences to me, and the thing is, they drew such enormous comfort from them.'

‘So you do believe there is such a thing then?'

‘I guess so, Jake. I don't
disbelieve.
I'm not that arrogant. One would be a fool to dismiss these things out of hand. How can anyone debunk Near-Death Experiences? Or life after death? Or even the idea of reincarnation, for instance? None of us knows anything. Not really. There are far too many unexplained things in this world. I'd be the last person to say that the paranormal doesn't exist. Or couldn't happen. I've got an open mind.'

‘Amy doesn't read a lot,' Jake volunteered. ‘So I'm sure she doesn't know anything at all about Near-Death Experiences from books, Maggie.'

She nodded. ‘There has been quite a lot on television about them, over the past few years, but I'm quite positive Amy did have some sort of experience. I don't think she's inventing this, not for one moment.'

‘Why do you say that?'

‘From what you've told me about her, Jake, Amy doesn't have the imagination to invent such a thing.'

‘You're correct there,' he agreed. Jake leaned back in the chair, stifling a yawn.

Maggie exclaimed, ‘Oh Jake, you're so tired after your vigil at the hospital. I think you'd better go to bed. You need your rest, you've got to be up so early tomorrow. We've got the meeting at the farm.'

He nodded. ‘I am pretty bushed. But thank God we've finally finished the last design plans for the farm. Lately they seem to have been endless.'

She laughed. ‘Only too true. But isn't Havers Hill now looking perfectly wonderful?'

‘It sure is, thanks to you, Maggie of mine.'

 

I
T WAS A GOLDEN
, shimmering October day. The foliage had already changed, and the trees were a mass of copper and gold, russet and pink, brilliant in the bright sunshine.

Amy feasted her eyes on the landscape at the back of Jake's little house on Route 341, thinking how magnificent everything looked. Such breathtaking colours, such fire in the trees. And the sky was a perfect blue, without a single cloud. It was a mild day, mild enough for her to sit here without a jacket, which she had shed earlier when she and Jake were having lunch.

She rested her head against the chair and closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face. She felt relaxed, at peace.

Earlier in the week Jake had asked her what he
could do to make her feel better, and she had said she wanted to have a picnic out in the country. It had been his idea to bring her here to his new house, and she was glad he had. It was nice to see where he lived, now that they were no longer together. Also, she liked his yard with its beautiful trees, pretty garden and the pastures beyond. He had even shown her around his studio-workshop in the red barn, which had pleased her.

Hearing his footsteps on the path, Amy opened her eyes and sat up.

Jake said, ‘Here we are, honey. Ice cream and apple pie, just as you requested.'

Amy smiled at him. ‘You're spoiling me. And I'm enjoying every minute of it.'

He placed the tray on her lap. ‘Tea or coffee later?'

‘Tea, please, and thanks for this.' She glanced down at the ice cream. ‘Oh Jake, you remembered how much I love pistachio and raspberry mixed together.'

Jake nodded and grinned, pleased that she was happy. She never complained, but he knew she was frequently in pain these days. If bringing her here and having a picnic with her helped to alleviate her suffering then he was all for it.

‘Be back in a minute, honey,' he said, and strode down the path to the kitchen. ‘And don't wait for me. I'm only having coffee.'

Amy ate some of the ice cream, enjoying it, but she couldn't finish it all. Her appetite was poor, and she was only able to take a few bites of the apple pie. She leaned back in the chair again, waiting for Jake to return to the garden.

Strains of music suddenly filled the air and she
smiled to herself, knowing that he had somehow managed to wire the garden and put speakers outside. Kiri Te Kanawa singing ‘Vissi d'arte' filled the air, her magnificent voice soaring into the sky.

‘Where's the music coming from, Jake?' Amy asked when he was back, standing over her, offering her the cup of tea.

‘The singing rocks, just over there in the flower beds,' he explained.

She laughed in delight and he laughed also. Then he said, ‘Don't you want any more dessert, Amy?'

‘No, thanks, Jake, but what I ate was delicious.'

He took the plate away, and then sat down next to her with his mug of coffee. ‘I hope you've enjoyed the picnic, being out in the country,' he murmured, glancing at her.

‘I have, and it was nice of you to give up your one free day. I know how precious Sundays are to you.'

‘I've enjoyed it too, Amy. You know I'll do anything to help, to make you feel better.'

Turning slightly in the chair, Amy focused her eyes on him. She loved him very much. He was the only man she had ever loved … since she was twelve years old. He had always been so special to her; he had made
her
feel special. And he had been so kind. Always. Amy had considered herself the luckiest of women to have him, to be his wife; her friends had envied her. But she knew they were focusing on his good looks. Only she really knew what a truly nice person he was.

Jake said, ‘You're staring at me, Amy. What's wrong? Do I have dirt on my face?'

She shook her head. ‘I was just thinking how long we've known each other.' She paused, cleared her throat and then went on carefully, ‘Mavis took me to see the lawyer on Friday, Jake, and I – '

‘But Amy, you don't have to worry about the divorce right now. Just get yourself better first.'

‘I didn't go to see him about the divorce. A divorce is not necessary.'

He sat looking at her, his expression unchanging. He was not sure how to answer her.

She said, ‘I'm dying, Jake. I'm not going to see the end of the year … I know that.'

‘But Amy, the doctor said you were making good progress!' he cut in swiftly.

Amy shook her head. ‘He might think so, but
I
know I'm not. Anyway, I went to see the lawyer because I wanted to make a will. It's necessary now that my mother's dead. She left me her house in New Milford, you know, and her furniture and everything else she owned. And a little money. So, I made a will and I've left everything to you.'

Jake stared at her speechlessly. Then he said, ‘But what about Aunt Violet and Mavis? They're your next of kin.'

‘No, they're not. You are, Jake Cantrell. You're my husband. We're still married, even though we might not be living together. And as your wife I am leaving you all my worldly possessions. Except for a few items for Aunt Violet and Mavis, you know – some bits of my mother's jewellery, china, that kind of thing. I want you to have everything else.'

‘I don't know what to say,' he began and stopped abruptly, staring at her.

Amy gave him a small smile. ‘You don't have to say anything, Jake.'

‘If that's the way you want it, then thank you, Amy,' he murmured, not knowing what else he could say.

‘There's something I want to say … I want to apologize to you, Jake, tell you how sorry I am that I was a bad wife.'

‘Amy, for God's sake, you weren't a bad wife!' he cried. ‘You did the best you could, always. I know that.'

‘My best wasn't good enough. Not for you, Jake. I was always so negative and apathetic, and I never helped you when you were trying to make a better life for us. I did everything wrong, and I'm truly sorry.'

He stared at her silently, again at a loss for words.

Amy said, ‘I really did die the night of the crash. I did leave my body. My soul did, I mean. Or my spirit, if you prefer to call it that. I went to another plane, to another dimension. And I saw my father. Then my mother joined him, and that's how I knew she was dead. There was an old soul there looking after me, and she took me into a crystal cave of wisdom. There were two wise women spirits, and they told me things. And they showed me how wrong I'd been. I saw my whole life, Jake; I saw my past and I saw your past.'

Jake was silent.

Amy said, ‘I can't change anything in my life now because I have no time to do so. I have become the person I should have always been, and I must try to make amends.' Amy leaned back in the chair and focused her eyes on Jake. ‘You're sceptical, aren't you? I mean about my dying and coming back.'

‘No, as a matter of fact, I'm not,' he replied. ‘I do
know there are other people who have had similar experiences, and a number of books have been written about them.'

‘I didn't know that, although I didn't think it could have happened only to me.'

‘What happened to you is called a Near-Death Experience, Amy.'

Amy nodded then closed her eyes. After a moment she opened them. Leaning forward, she fixed them on Jake.

He blinked. They seemed brighter, more full of life than he'd ever seen them, and the smile spreading itself across her face was one of pure radiance.

Amy said, ‘I not only saw my past, and your past, Jake. I also saw your future. I didn't see mine because I don't have one. Not on this plane at least.'

‘You saw my future,' he repeated.

‘Yes, I did. There's a woman in your life, Jake, and you love her very much. She is older than you, but that is of no consequence. You and she are meant to be together. You were always meant to be together, and your whole life has been a journey towards her. As hers has been a journey towards you. Once you were souls who were joined together as one, and then you were split asunder. Your whole lives have been spent trying to get back to each other. When you found each other you became whole. Never doubt her in any way.'

Jake opened his mouth but no words came out.

She said, This woman, your soulmate, is carrying your child. She's five months pregnant. The baby is due in February. It's a boy, Jake, you're going to have the son you always wanted. The future is good for
you. You will be prosperous; you were always right to start your own business. It will go well, and this woman, who is devoted to you and will be your wife, will also be your partner in your business. You are going to have all the things you always wanted, Jake, and somehow never managed to get with me. But you must not let your success change you, or turn your head. You're such a good person. You must cling to your values always.'

‘Amy, I don't know what to say. It's true, I did meet someone. In April. I never mentioned her to you because I didn't want to hurt your feelings – '

‘Don't say any more; it's not necessary. I am the one who hurt you. This was shown to me, and I was sent back in order to put things right with you and to help you with your future.'

‘Help me how?'

‘To show you the way, to set you on the right path. You have already started out on it with your soulmate. She is strong, wise, and you must always listen to her.' Amy nodded. ‘You must take her advice. And you must also follow all of your instincts. You are usually right. Trust yourself more.'

‘I don't know what to say,' Jake began and stopped. Amy was looking at him intently and he realized how lovely she was. It seemed to him that at this moment she had undergone a startling transformation. Her face was radiant, her pale blue eyes bright and sparkling, and even the curly blonde wig she was wearing looked suddenly right on her.

‘Now it's my turn to say you're staring at me,' Amy exclaimed.

‘I was thinking how beautiful you looked.'

‘I am.
Inside.
I want you to promise me something, Jake.'

‘Yes, Amy, I will. Tell me what it is.'

‘I want you to promise me you'll get married immediately after I die. I don't want you to have any mourning period. That would be false anyway, since we've been separated for almost two years.' She paused and gave him a very direct look. ‘Longer, if you think of the years we lived together without communicating. Do you promise?'

Jake nodded.

Amy went on, ‘I think I'll die soon, Jake.'

‘Oh Amy …'

‘There's something else I need to say to you and it's this: love is the most important thing in the whole world.'

‘I know you're right,' Jake responded.

Amy smiled her radiant smile and said softly, ‘I'm not afraid to die. Not anymore, Jake. You see, I know there is life after death. Not life as we know it here, but life on another plane. I will be glad to shed my body, then my spirit will be free at last …'