CHAPTER 3

EVE

In her humble home in the Dreaming, Eve stood at her stove and cooked some dinner. It was the sort of thing she'd done for many years – as long as beyond recorded time in fact. You see, this is the original Eve – yes, the one from the Garden of Eden. Contrary to popular belief, Eden was not a place on the Earth, but another world altogether. Now Eve did eat of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. But what God didn't know was that she'd already eaten of the Tree of Life – meaning she was immortal. (Again, contrary to popular belief, God can't see everything.) But having knowledge meant that she also knew of magic – and so not only was she the first human woman (yes, yes, I know – there's that whole thing about Lilith, etc, but sometimes history isn't terribly true) but also the first witch. What this meant is that she had her good looks forever. But…so as not to cast any suspicion on herself, she could allow folks to see her as she might look if she aged. And so she looked about 25 and in great shape normally, but could appear around 100 years old if the situation called for it.

Of course none of this was in her head when she heard a knocking at her door. She was merely trying to finish her meal. (Grilled cheese, FYI – yum!) She asked "Who is it?"

"Death. Can I come in?"

"Sure. You're always welcome here. Care for something to eat?"

Death gave her big smile at Eve. "You know I don't need to eat. But thanks for the offer." She lost her smile. "You do know why I'm here. It's time."

Eve looked baffled. "After all these years? Why now?"

"It's the End, Eve. Even immortals have to call it a day sometime."

Eve sighed and looked out her window.

"What?"

"Well, Death….it's just that it's been so long. Adam is long dead, so are all my friends, I'm assuming you got my stupid kids too…."

Death nodded, though she took Eve's characterization of Cain and Abel as "stupid" a little uneasily.

"The fact is….I don't want to die. I don't know what it's like. It's too damn scary….that's why I never wanted to die. I don't want to die now! Why can't you just leave me?"

Death looked a little sad. She tried to sound sympathetic…and she was.

"Eve….this is nothing personal. It's not like Cain killing Abel over and over again. This is not like what Hitler did….god, if I get a hold of that bastard again I'm going to kick his ass, all that extra work he gave me….death is NOT meant as a punishment. It simply is. I don't hate anyone, really. I can see good in just about anyone. This is not about pain and suffering. It's about simply ending it, just as a book or a movie ends."

She leaned in, with an earnest look. "It simply has to be. It doesn't have to be sad or terrible."

"Can I at least finish my dinner?"

"Sure. Maybe I'll even join you. I may not need to eat…but I still enjoy it once in a while…"

As she sat at Eve's table, she asked her "Got any tomato soup?"

Eve replied "Sure, let me heat it in the microwave."