Chapter 5

Jed looked into the shifting darkness as a shiver ran down his spine. He sensed a presence but couldn't see anybody. "Is someone there?"

He shook his head. Of course not. How stupid.

He was alone.

And his mind was playing tricks on him.

"Josiah?"

Shocked at the voice, Jed looked in the shadows again and stood when he saw who was calling his name. "Delores, is that you?" Her image appeared.

No. No way could it be Delores. She's been dead for five years.

"Josiah, don't you think you need to move on? Quit moping and look forward to your life out of here."

"Delores? It can't be you. I mean…"

"Mean what, Josiah? Why can't I come back to see you? We spent many a day right here."

"But, you're…"

"Spit it out Josiah. I'm dead. But that doesn't mean I can't be here. And I brought someone with me."

"Jed, how ya doing?"

Leo appeared out of the shadows, smiling his ragged smile.

"Leo! Oh my god!" I'm dreaming. That's it. I'm dreaming."

Leo and Delores laughed.

"No, you're not dreaming. We came for a reason."

"Why did you come back? Why would you even want to see me again? My actions caused your deaths."

Delores shook her head. "No, Josiah. You did nothing. It was circumstances and it was our time. Do you really think you and Josh survived Rosslyn or you recovered from the attack in China because of what you did? Not even you are that powerful. It was our time."

Leo spoke. "Yeah, it was our time. All those years of drinking and being face down in streets and parking lots made it my time. It wasn't the stress of campaigning. My body was finished. It was my time and nothing you would have done would have prevented it from happening. So quit moping Jed. Move on. We came to get you through tonight and tomorrow. Do I need to kick your ass?"

"I've missed so many opportunities. I wonder if I've done enough. Helped enough people. Made this world a better place. Have I Leo? Have I done enough?"

"Jed, you've helped millions of people. Both here and around the world. Yeah, some mistakes have been made but that's normal. You're human, Jed. And being human you make mistakes. But they will be forgotten soon and you'll be remembered for the all the good you've done."

"Josiah, move on. Now its time for someone else to try to do his best. History will prove you were a great President, but that'll take a few years. Hand over the reins tomorrow and hold your head up high. You've done your best. You and the staff had done the best job that circumstances have allowed. Now, move on and enjoy the years ahead."

"I have years?"

Leo laughed. "Even we don't know the answer to that question, Jed. Just enjoy each day and the years will take care of themselves. And we'll be around anytime you need us. We're now your guardian angels."

"Jed? Are you still in there?" Abbey's faint voice was heard as she made her way through the outer office.

"Abbey's looking for me. Stick around. I'm sure she would want to say hello."

Leo and Delores shook their heads. "No, Josiah. We only came to talk with you. We must go now. But take our words and move forward. Backward is for losers. You're a winner."

With those words, the images melted back into the shadows.