Seized With Life - Chapter Two: Heaven Shines Down Upon Us
The road into Bahia Bay was quite lonely. It was a rare sight to see a car driving there these days. Often weeks would go by before a single car showed up. This day, however, was one of the rare days where a car was driving along the road. Heading into Bahia Bay, no less. It was a small red car that had definitely seen better days. Its driver was former resident Tino Tonitini who had also seen better days. The drive into town was a long and nerve racking one for him. It had been 35 years since he was last in town having moved to the east coast when he was 14 years old. The whole way Tino was unsure of if he really wanted to show up in Bahia Bay after all this time. If the reason for him being there wasn't so important then he probably never would have made the journey back. A few days earlier he had received a letter notifying him of his mother's death and when the funeral was to be held. The letter itself was quite strange. It was brief as possible and did not contain any information as to who sent the letter. There was no return address on the envelope either. For all Tino knew this was some practical joke. However, something convinced him that it was legitimate. Perhaps it was just his desire for an excuse to take off from work and do something different than the usual grind. It had been a long trip and one that took a lot out of Tino. His mind was filled with a million thoughts, not sure what to expect when he entered Bahia Bay once more.
"There it is, Bahia Bay. I never thought I would see it again. It's been so long, so very, very long," Tino thought to himself once he saw the sign welcoming him to Bahia Bay.
The sign had horribly faded since the last time he saw it. Off on the horizon Tino spied some ominous looking clouds perched above the ocean.
"Damn, it looks like a storm is coming. I hate driving in the rain. Now where is this funeral parlor?"
Tino checked the address on the letter. He racked his mind trying to remember the streets of Bahia Bay. He looked at the address again and it finally clicked. The funeral parlor was close to the edge of town, not far from where Tino was currently driving. After following a few streets he came upon the parlor. A bunch of cars with funeral flags were all parked out front.
"Hmmm, it looks like I'm a little late. I had better get in there."
Tino quickly parked the car and hurried over to the parlor. Once inside he sat down in the back hoping not to arouse anyone's notice. The room was full of people all there to pay their final respects to his mother. As he stared at all of the individuals Tino was able to discern who was who, though with some difficulty. Time had worn away the appearances Tino had been familiar with. At the front of the room leaning on a cane was Dixon. Time had done the least amount of damage to him. Tino noticed the ring on Dixon's finger.
"I never heard about that. Oh well, I can't say I really like weddings, too boring," Tino thought.
So far no one seemed to notice that Tino was seated in the back. Then again, no one could probably recognize him. People remembered a scrawny, energetic, and neurotic kid. These days Tino was best characterized as a balding, tired, and indifferent cynic. However, it wasn't simply a matter of people not realizing he was Tino, but no one seemed to recognize that another person had entered the building. It bothered Tino to no end.
"Isn't anyone curious that some run down guy just walked in? Am I invisible? I even got a letter to come to this. Shouldn't someone be looking for me?" Tino thought.
He tried to ignore the situation, but it still nagged him a little. Soon a minister of some kind came into the room and everyone took their seats. Now the casket was visible to Tino. He could see his mother's face from where he was seated. It had been 35 years since Tino had last seen his mother, but somehow she had barely changed in that time. Sure, her hair was gray, and she had some wrinkles, but her face had the same peaceful look that it always had. The last time Tino talked with his mother was 30 years prior just before he went off to college. He was never sure why communication had ceased, but he did remember that it didn't seem to bother him. Now, however, looking at his mother Tino wanted to hear her voice again. He wanted her to tell him why he was there, and who had sent for him after all this time. She could read his mind like always and figure out all the answers. Tino's mind drifted in and out. It was flooded with thoughts about his mother. He wasn't sure why, though. For 30 years since communications ceased with his mother he had given her no more than two thoughts. How did seeing her dead cause him to drift through 30 years of overdue thinking? Tino eventually came to thinking about his mother's death. He was curious to know how she died, what it was that did her in. Tino smiled a little.
"I know what happened," he thought, "It was bound to happen. Mom's food finally caught up to her."
The idea amused Tino enough to make him forget his earlier apprehension. As the minister continued to talk people began to tear up, a few softly sobbed. Tino looked to Dixon. He wasn't crying. He didn't even have a tear in his eye. His expression was emotionless, but it resonated with heavy thought. It made Tino smile.
"Leave it to Dixon. He always had the best grasp of every situaiton. Even death can't elude his understanding. Heh, he can do anything," Tino thought.
Eventually the minister stopped speaking and the floor was opened up to anyone who wanted to say a few words. Anyone who got up always stopped at Dixon at some point to either shake his hand or hug him. Dixon muttered a thank you to each person, yet his overall expression never changed. Tino found himself fascinated by Dixon's behavior. He barely even noticed the tear filled speechs being made by the other members of the congregation. They all sounded the same to Tino. After some time had passed the minister asked if anyone else wished to speak. Tino kept his eye on Dixon, but he made no movement towards the podium. The only movement Dixon offered was bowing his head as the casket was closed. Without thinking Tino also bowed his head. Then it dawned on him. He would never see his mother again in the flesh. His stomach fluttered, and his head went light for a moment. It all seemed so final now. He would never see her again, never, forever. The idea boggled Tino. It gripped his mind and shook it hard. The only thing more perplexing to Tino was the fact that this bothered him. Why did he care so much? He hadn't felt this much emotion in 35 years. Why after so long of being so far removed from this enviorment and his mother could he be brought down like this? Tino held his head in his hands just trying to keep himself from crying out. Everyone in the room stood and filed out except for the pallbearers. They all passed the unknown middle aged man, but no one stopped to ask who he was or if he was all right. Tino then stood and exited the building while the pallbearers lifted the casket. Everyone stood around outside waiting for the casket to come and lead the procession to the cemetary. It was going to be a walking procession since the cemetary was only two blocks down the road. Tino stood off to the side while everyone else milled around. Soon the pallbearers came out with the casket and they began walking for the cemetary. Everyone fell in line behind the casket. Tino waited to make sure he was last. However, he quickly lost last place to Dixon. Tino looked at him and noticed that Dixon's leg really slowed him down. The cane didn't really do much good. Within the first block he was already a good thirty feet behind everyone else. Tino kept his eye on Dixon, and he could see the frustration on his face. Dixon grumbled as he tried to move faster, but couldn't due to his limitations.
"He really must hate that. Even with the cane he can barely get around. It must be really irritating," Tino thought.
Rather than offer any help, though, Tino kept on walking. He was much more interested in seeing his mother laid to rest. He felt an overwhelming need to be there to watch it all end. By the time Tino reached the cemetary Dixon was lagging about sixty feet behind everyone else. Everyone stood around the grave and waited while Dixon made his way to the site. Hobbling as fast as he could Dixon took his place in the crowd. With everyone there, the minister began talking and doing some final rites. Tino stared at the casket and phased out. The feeling he got looking at the casket was so odd. He felt like he was staring mortality in the eye. The gray stormy sky lended itself to Tino's train of thought. What felt like five seconds to Tino turned out to be ten minutes. He was snapped back to reality when the casket was slowly lowered into the ground.
"So this is it. This ends it all. I'm surprised I feel this much. I haven't felt a damn thing in years. Have I been so dead inside that it took death itself to stir me this bit? That's pretty sad," Tino thought.
Even as the crowd began to disperse Tino stayed behind his eyes still fixated on the casket. The finality of it all was overwhelming.
"Excuse me, sir, is everything okay?"
Tino looked up startled. It was the minister, and it was the first words spoken to him since he had arrived.
"Uh, yeah, I'm fine. I'm just not too familiar with death, that's all. I'll be all right. Nothing to worry about. I just never appreciated how final death was till right now," Tino responded.
"I can understand that, but death really isn't final. Those who have are dead have moved onto a greater life than this. They are in the presence of God. From my correspondence with this woman I have no doubt in my mind that she has made it to Heaven, to paradise. I'm sure she is quite peaceful there, and I'm sure she is looking down at us right now smiling happily," the minister said.
"You think she's in Heaven, and that she is smiling?"
"Oh yes. Don't you think the same?"
"I think she's smiling...," Tino drifted off.
He wasn't sure what to make of Heaven. The minister looked at Tino with concern, not sure why he had stopped.
"Heaven is a wonderous place, my friend. It is there we are in God's midst and all our troubles vanish because we have worked through them. It is the goal of the righteous, the very thing for which we strive. This woman has made it to Heaven so we do not need to pray for her now, we need to pray for ourselves. Do you understand, my friend?"
Tino looked at the minister with distant eyes.
"I understand enough. I must be going now."
"I see, then I bid you good day. And remember one thing, my friend, the sadness that surrounds us is nothing before God and the glory of Heaven, always keep your head held high and look for the light."
Tino paused for a second, then nodded and he was off. As he walked back to his car Tino's mind was a jumble of thoughts. He would have walked right past his car had a rain drop not hit him square in the forehead. Tino looked up at the sky. It was only a few drops, but the clouds looked ready to burst.
"Shit, it looks like the rain is coming in. I hate the rain. I think I'll just wait it out rather than being caught in the middle of it when I'm driving."
Tino lowered his head and a figure in the distance caught his eye. It looked like a woman and she was staring at Tino. He squinted but she was too far away to see clearly.
"That woman..., Mom? No, that can't be right."
Tino stared hard but it was to no avail.
"What am I doing? How would I know anyone's appearence after 35 years? Wait, is she beckoning me?"
The woman indeed looked like she was waving to Tino, but she moved no closer to him.
"What the hell is her problem? Why is she waving to me? I guess I'll go talk to her, got nothing else to do."
Tino started walking in the direction of the woman but after he walked enough to somewhat make out her face she turned around and started walking away.
"Why is she walking away now? What's the deal with this woman? I suppose I should follow her," Tino thought.
Overcome with a strange curiosity, Tino kept on walking after the woman not sure where he was going.
End Of Chapter Two