Chapter 25 - Page 349 - Jim And Rhasha's Big Event

   The doctor got to Jim just as his eyes shut. Sara checked his pulse, but there was none.

   Jim's spirit hovered before the angels in the tunnel. The angels wore long flowing white gowns and sandals on their feet. He didn't know what to do. "Am I dead?" he asked.

   "Jim," one angel replied, "you will live for eternity . . . in heaven. Your flawed body on earth has expired."

   Jim's spirit thought about Rhasha, and how she must be feeling. "Am I going to heaven, now?" he asked.

   The angel replied, "We're here to escort you to paradise."

   Jim was anxious to go to heaven, but he was worried about Rhasha. "Sir," he said, "is there any way I can comfort Rhasha during her time of grief?"

   "You will be allowed to go back to earth, but only in spirit form. You can speak to her and you can touch her, but she will not be able to see you or hear you. She will not feel your touch."

   "How long will I have?" Jim asked.

   "Your presence will be required in heaven at the time Jesus chooses."

   Suddenly Jim was back in his body. The tunnel to heaven and the window disappeared. Jim could hear the humming sound rise, pulse, then fade.

   The congregation pushed up around Jim's body, crowding the doctor. Knowing Jim was dead, Rhasha wept over his body. Thamish and Thasha eased their way in next to Rhasha and put their arms around her. Her parents helped her to stand. Rhasha covered her face with her hands.