OMGOSH!! When I went back to look at my story, I realized I completely forgot the disclaimer!! LOL!

OK, so they aren't mine.

OK Now I can't get sued. LoL Now back to my story, hehehe. . . .


Within just a few short seconds, Rick stood outside a large window of his house. He looked inside and saw Evelyn pacing in the living room, looking very worried. Jonathan was home, which was unusual at this hour; he was usually still out at a bar. But Jonathan seemed sober enough and was trying to calm his baby sister down.

"Oh, Jonathan," Rick heard his wife say, "Where is he? It isn't like him to be gone this long. . . .I knew I shouldn't have said anything. I shouldn't have tried to get him to tell me if he didn't want to. And now he's gone and I'm not sure if he'll ever be back and it's all my fault!"

"Evie, no. . ." Rick said softly, putting his hand up to the window, trying to get her attention. "It's not your fault, it's mine. . .I shouldn't have snapped at you! Evie! Evie?"

He turned to Ardeth. "Why can't she hear me? I'm right here this time, and it's the present!"

But Ardeth just shook his head. "She cannot see you, my friend, because you are not really here. You are just watching your world as if you are not apart of it."

Rick was confused, but he just kept going.

"Well, I'm going into my house and explaining." Rick ran towards the door, but he couldn't open it. He tried using his keys, but they wouldn't work. He shot Ardeth an evil look.

"Why did you bring me here if I can't do anything?" Rick asked sharply.

"O'Connell, I brought you here to see what Evelyn has been contemplating over these past few weeks. You're sudden change of heart had affected your wife more than you realize." Ardeth gestured toward the window.

Rick went over to it and looked through. Jonathan was trying to dissuade Evelyn from doing something, but Rick couldn't figure out what.

"Jonathan, I cannot live like this anymore! He doesn't love me anymore, and he shows it quite blatantly. I have to leave, I need to get out of here!" Evelyn was near hysterics, which was very unlike her.

"Oh, come along, Old Mum, Rick loves you more than life itself; how can you think otherwise?" Jonathan asked gently.

"Oh, I don't know, Jonathan, maybe because he never tells me anymore? I mean, you remember how our affections disgusted you all the time; when was the last time you saw us together like that? The past few weeks, I've been lucky to get a quick goodbye kiss as he walks out the door, let alone. . . . .well, I think you get where I'm going. But apparantly I've done something wrong and if I stay much longer it will kill the spirit that I love so much about him. I love him, Jonathan, that's why I really must go." And Evelyn turned on her heels and headed up to her and Rick's room.

"Evie! Evie! Don't do it, Evie! Come along now. . ." Jonathan pleaded as he rushed up after her.

Rick turned to Ardeth quickly. "She-she's leaving me! Bu-why-I-I- she's leaving me, Ardeth! You have to let me in so I can stop her! ARDETH! Let me stop her! She can't leave!"

But Ardeth looked down at the ground and said, "No. I am sorry my friend, but this is where you're actions have led you. You must remain accountable. . ."

"NO! I won't let her leave me!" Rick was by Ardeth in two long strides and picked him up by the collar. "Let me in NOW!"

"My friend, there is something else you must see first." Ardeth said, gasping for breath. Rick dropped him, and the next thing he knew, he was inside his home, in Alex's room, where his son sat quietly next to his bed.

"Hey, buddy!" Rick said to his son. But Alex didn't turn around.

"He cannot hear you, O'Connell. I have already explained--" Rick put up a hand to silence Ardeth. Alex seemed to be talking to himself, Rick wanted to hear his words.

" . . .and I know that I don't pray often," Alex was saying quietly. "But it's Christmas Eve, and my dad's gone. My mum has been crying herself to sleep for a long time now, and I heard her and Uncle Jon talking about something downstairs. I think she may leave all of us because of her and Dad fighting. Why are they fighting? Whenever I ask, they say that nothing is wrong. Neither of them know that I can hear them, every night, arguing about something else. I'm scared. . . .please bring my dad home for Christmas. Maybe he can talk to Mum and they can make up and be happy again. And I promise that I'll never act grossed out when they kiss. . . I miss it. . .I guess that's it. . . .Amen."

Rick's eyes were watery as he watched his son climb into bed. He looked at Ardeth.
"Evie and I had no idea he could hear us. . .oh God, he knows everything. I--I can't watch anymore. I need to go find Evie before she leaves. I need to talk to her."

Ardeth just looked at his friend and said, "It is time to go, O'Connell. My time is running out."

"But-" Rick tried to protest. But he was already back in the park, and Ardeth was gone.

"My God, this is getting ridiculous!" He stood up quickly, with every intent to go home. But when he turned he ran into someone.

It was Ardeth. But he was a few years older. Little specks of gray were spotting his beard and hair, but he was still as handsome as he ever was.

"Oh, Jesus, not another one!" Rick cried, exasperated. "What are you doing here? I've already seen past and present! What's next?"

"O'Connell, I have been sent to show you what life will be like if you do not go home and apologize to your wife. It will not be pretty, but it is something you must see."

"Oh, geez. Here we go again. . ." Rick said as Ardeth began to chant. . . . .