Going Home

“Grandma. Grandma…wake up Grandma!” Marissa gently shook her grandmother.

Hazy blue eyes slowly opened and attempted to focus. A smile formed on wrinkled lips and a sigh of pleasure escaped, “Marissa! Oh my darlin’ I can’t believe you’re here!”

“It’s been a long time Grandma!” The two women hugged tightly.

Maribelle stared at her granddaughter. “Oh, Marissa. I can’t tell you just how wonderful it is to see your face. You’re just like a ray of pure sunshine. This makes me happier than a junebug! But I wish I’d known you was comin’. I’d gotten gussied up. Look at me in this old house coat!”

Marissa laughed. “Grandma, you look wonderful…how do you feel?”

“Now that you’re here, I feel just right as rain!” To demonstrate her last remark, she rose off the couch, grabbed Marissa’s hand and did a short waltz around the living room.

“You were always such a great dancer, Grandma. I know Grandpa Fred thinks so too.”

Marissa’s hand flew to her mouth, “Fred…”

“You do know why I’m here, don’t you, Grandma?”

“Of course, my darlin’. You’re here to take me home. And I’m so glad they sent you, cuz I’ve been missin’ you something fierce. It’s not right that you went before your Mama and me!”

“It was my time Grandma. And now it’s yours. And look who’s here.” Marissa nodded toward the kitchen where a handsome, dark haired man in his early 30’s stood.

“Fred?”

“Yes, my Belle!”

As she floated over to her husband she looked down to see a beautiful gown and porcelain skin from her younger days.

“Are you ready, my love?” he asked in the baritone she hadn’t heard for years.

Maribelle nodded her head. The three rose into the air and crossed over into the setting sun.


Word Count: 299