“What do you mean she’s not here”

“Her time to leave came yesterday”

“So she was here?”

“Yes. And you are?”

“A dear friend. My name is Bill.”

“Hi Bill. My name is Angelica.”

“Glad to meet you. Should I hang around?”

“It will be a lifetime.”

“I see. Ah, that’s too bad. I mean my not being able to catch up with her. She’s good?”

“Of course. How do you know her, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“My nephew John’s wife.”

“She kept on about him. Checked in every day to see how he’s doing. He’s taking it very hard.”

“I’m not surprised. They had the real thing, you know what I mean?”

“I do. Wonderful to witness from up here. Gives us hope.”

“Not long after meeting Bette I told John If I wasn’t gay I’d win her over (kidding). He told me I would lose and he was right.”

“You weren’t that much older than John?”

“Seven years. He thought of me as his older brother.”

“And did you know Bette for a while?’

“I’d say sixteen years. I passed about a year before her. We met on Cape Cod, Yarmouth. My partner Joe and I had a cottage. When John introduced us he said ‘Uncle I have brought a fellow devotee of Marilyn Monroe and the Kennedys.’ An hour later Bette and I were still talking. I loved that woman and for many reasons; bright, sensitive, great sense of humor and of course loving my nephew. Do you know where she is going?”

“A young Polish couple.”

“Oh, that’s cool; keeping the same nationality.”

“They thought so.”

“That reminds me. A few years ago I get a call from John and Bette asking me what I think about reincarnation. I tell them I’m on the fence. Bette says to brace myself for the fall to the ‘yes’ side. They tell me a couple weeks earlier they met their new neighbors, exchanged pleasantries and that was that. The call to me followed their going through old photos and realizing Bette’s Mom could be the new neighbor. Isn’t that something?”

“It is. It doesn’t happen often, the recognition I mean. They have Their reasons.”

“I’m sure They do.”

“Do you know how Bette felt about it?”

“I don’t. I think John or Bette would have told me if Bette talked to the woman. After the call that night there was no mention of it.”

“You been up here a while.”

“They told me I could observe and it has been good for me. Quite a few life lessons. I’m hoping to find my purpose earlier in the next life.”

“Noble quest.”

“Thank you. They told me when I find the angel I want watching over me to ask her and they would take it from there as far as arrangements. I would be honored.”

“As I am. Are you close to feeling ready for the next life?”

“I will be now that I’m in the arms of a sweet angel.”

“Quite the charmer.”

“Do you mind if we look in on Bette five years from now?”

“Any particular reason?”

“Call it a hunch.”

“I have to let Them know, Bill. It won’t take long.”

“I understand.”

“It will be like you are watching a play and are on the stage.”

“Okay.”

“I saw you guys out in the snow making that snowman and thought when you were done you’d like some hot chocolate and marshmallows.”

“Thanks Uncle John.”

“Your welcome Liz. And your snowman is wonderful. You and your Mom did a great job.”

“Thanks for stopping in Jean. I’ll be leaving soon and I wanted to say goodbye and tell you how much you, Liz and Eddie’s friendship has meant to me.”

“Where you going Uncle John?”

“I’m going to see an old friend”

“We will miss Uncle John, won’t we Liz?”

“Oh, yes. And will Enya and Tammy be going with you?”

“Yes and they will miss you too. A lot. Do you remember when you first met Enya and Tammy and how they came right up to you. I told you I was surprised because they are usually shy with new people but they loved you right away. “

“I remember. They both rubbed my legs. It tickled and then I petted them.”

“The purring was very loud.”

“It was. I don’t want you to go Uncle John.”

“I know Liz buy when you think of me it will be like I’m right  there. Will you remember that?”

“Okay.”

“Okay, good. I have something for you.”

“Oh, that’s the painting of the two cats named Bette and John.”

“That’s right. When you first saw it you said that was Bette and John. You really surprised me didn’t she Jean?

“Sure did and that was when we first met Uncle John.  Would you like us to visit?”

“Depending on how things are going, Jean. I will let you know.”

“Just know we treasure your friendship John and don’t hesitate to call if your comfortable with our visiting.”

“I won’t.”

“You going to see Bette, Uncle John?”

“No honey. Bette is in heaven, remember?”

“I know and when you think of her she is right there.”

“That’s right, like you are right here.”

“I am.”

“I’m so glad we met again, Liz.”

“Uncle John looks tired Liz. We’ll go home now so he can get some rest.”

“Okay Mommy.”

“Remember to think of me, Liz.”

“I will John-Boy.”

“I knew it.”

“Yes you did, Bill”

Love To You All