Yes. A couple of weeks.

You shouldnt have come. If you had just told them to tell me…I would have understood.

I needed to come.

Weve already said our goodbyes though.

Then why did you call me here?

He turns his head for a moment and then peers at me once again, I needed to see you…one last time.

Why?

I see tears welling up in his eyes, Do you think I can get into heaven?

This question catches me off guard, Heaven?

He nods his head as tears slip free from their captivity, I have been thinking a lot about what is after death. I do not know if Heaven lies beyond or if it is just eternal oblivion. I choose to believe there is something beyond.

You have my forgiveness already, I say taking his hand which is cold, What more do you need.

He curls his fingers around mine, True forgiveness.

I have given you that.

He shakes his head, You havent.

I ***** my head to the side, How do you know?

Your eyes, he says, You speak of forgiveness but your eyes speak of pain, of the suffering that I inflicted upon you.

Pushing the chair back I get down on my knees and lean forward so that my face is resting next to his. Out of the corner of my eye I see Dana and Stacy glance at each other. I cannot care about their reactions right now.

I want you to see, to know that from this moment on…till forever that I forgive you Thomas Martin Gracy. I forgive you for your ignorance, for your poor judgement, for losing your way. I forgive you for listening to that dark voice that beckoned. I. Forgive. You.

As I spoke the tears started to flow from my own eyes as well as heavier from within him. He was now sobbing as I held tighter on to his hand.

Thank you, he manages between his cries that soon turn to gasps

I place a hand on his chest, Breathe.

He gasps in some air, Im scared.

Dont be scared. You asked for forgiveness, which was freely given, and you shall be set free, I whisper

Gracy nods his head at my words. He gasps loudly and his body rises of the cot and rests down as the last of his breath leaves his body. I let his hand go and close his eyes with my hand.

Rest now.

Bowing my head I say a silent prayer and then attempt to get to my feet. Stacy and Dana rush over to me and help me up. I wipe the tears from my face as I turn to them.

We can go now, I say

Neither of them says anything to me. We leave the room and go back to the car in silence. Once we are on our way again the silence is broken.

Wow, says Stacy, That was…

Powerful, Dana speaks

It was at that, Stacy agrees

There is another bout of silence.

Were on our way home now right, Stacy asks

Dana glances over at me, Didnt we have that other stop?

What stop, asks Stacy

We do, I say

Do you still want to go, Dana asks me with concern, It has been a tough afternoon.

I need to do this.

Will one of you tell me where we are going, Stacy demands

To see Tinas parents, I respond

Ooh.

TBC…with Part 2: The Parents