Alternative Viewpoint

Alternative Viewpoint   https://tdcooperbooks.com/books

“Oh, man, my head hurts,” Caleb groaned, rubbing his temples as his eyes opened and focused on an aisle with empty folding chairs on either side.

Caleb sat up cocking his head, “Where am I?” he muttered, checking the watch on his wrist. He noticed the hands had stopped at 1:13 in the morning. He shook the timepiece and tapped the crystal. Nothing happened. “Hmm!”

After a few moments of contemplation, Caleb began to notice houseplants in large vases sitting under fake windows and at the entrance of large double doors. Pictures of soothing rivers, mountains, and flowers hung on the walls. An organist played a solemn hymn. 

Movement at the door opening caught Caleb’s eye. A female figure wearing a wide-brimmed hat stepped into the room. She held a handkerchief in her left hand and dabbed at the corner of her eye. Seconds later, a man strolled in behind her, taking her by the elbow. He escorted the woman up the aisle and helped her into a chair in the front of the room. Other patrons followed them and sat in the empty chairs.

“Hey, that looks like Della, what is she doing here. I shouldn’t have fought with her last night. She was right. I was a jerk when she came home late. Della tried to tell me something, but I didn’t want to hear,” Caleb reflected. “She wouldn’t cheat on me; I don’t know what came over me. I’ll go apologize.” Caleb slid off the wooden box and glided across the room until he stood before Della.

“Della, I’m so sorry…,” Caleb started to say, but Della never looked up at him. “Wait, who is that with you? I don’t recognize that guy holding your hand.” The anger from the night before started to fill his soul.

“Kevin, I’m so glad you are here,” Della said, leaning over and whispering in Kevin’s ear.

“If this is what you need, then I’m here for you, darling,” Kevin said with a squeeze of Della’s hand.

“Darling! Della, who is this guy,” Caleb barked, but Della didn’t respond to him, she looked straight through him and wiped her nose. Caleb waved a hand in front of her face. “Della?” She shivered, but never acknowledge him. 

“We ended things so terribly, he didn’t understand. I tried to explain, but he wouldn’t listen. He was so drunk, and I let him leave the house and get into the car. Is this all my fault?” Della cried.

“No, no how could you have stopped him? He pushed you into the china closet and stormed out.” Kevin rubbed her back. “Life dealt us all an unfortunate blow when the Army sent the Chaplin to our house and explained that I’d been killed. We know now that they had me confused with another soldier.”

“You’re damn right buddy… Wait are you the Kevin, her first husband. Nevertheless, you died in Afghanistan or somewhere like that. She’s my girl, now!” Caleb shouted.

Della stood and walked through Caleb and to the front of the room. Caleb turned and followed. Della stared at a picture sitting on the shiny wooden table. She ran her hand over the smooth mahogany and stepped closer to its opening.

“Oh Caleb, I’m sorry this happened to you,” she said to the person sleeping on satin sheets.

“Wait!” Caleb said and rushed up to where Della stood. He closed his eyes tight afraid to look inside the…, box, coffin. “Who’s in there? I can’t look!” Caleb stood before the casket, opened one eye and then the other. “That’s me!” Caleb gasped. “Oh, no, am I dead? How can this be?” he whispered.

“I love you and always will,” Della sighed as she turned and sat back down. Kevin took her hand in his and consoled her.

“What is that bright light? Turn it off! I can’t see… No, I won’t go with you. I’m not ready! I have so many things left to do, to say…” Caleb reached for and held tightly to the casket’s open lid. He felt himself stretching toward the light. Just as the light went out the coffin lid slammed shut.

Gasps echoed throughout the sanctuary.