After the Shock

The sound. The long beep. The nurse disconnected the monitors. The silence. The floating. It's over.

Claire wondered what now. She began to see a dark fog lifting. She could see, but couldn't touch or breathe. So this is death. She saw Jack in a chair in the waiting area, analyzing the floor. She had never seen his eyes so red and narrow before. 28 grams lighter. She remembered something about the body losing 28 grams at death. Is that all the soul is?

Suddenly a white fog wrapped around her. When it cleared again she could feel the sunlight, but still could not touch or smell. She realized she was back in Tuscany. The light is unlike anywhere else in the world. She meandered among the villas and the shops in the town. Flash.

She saw the medieval walls and castles on the outskirts, and imagined herself a princess in one of the towers. Flash.

She was in the Poggio alla Fame. The gardens with the fragrant fruit trees and beautiful olive trees surrounded her. Over 500 years of history, but from where she stood, it felt like a blink. Suddenly she realized she was free. No man controlled her anymore. She was able to meander as she wanted, not having to take mental notes of things to share with Jack when she got home. It was her trip. Hers. She so wished she could be alive to appreciate this fully. Yet somehow it seemed sweeter. The amber light danced as it sifted through the olive branches. Claire couldn't help but remember that olive branches were symbols of peace, and standing among the trees, she felt why.

She returned to New York. She was under the Brooklyn Bridge along the river, when she saw Jack just wandering, aimlessly, along the boardwalk. He had no idea where he was going or what he was doing. All he felt was empty. Oddly, Claire didn't want to rush to his side. She was free of human bonds and loved it. The white fog returned, and she let it envelop her. Peace at last.