From Coolidge to Kauai

Suddenly Daddy started clearing the top shelf of the refrigerator, throwing everything onto the floor with a vengeance.

"Stop it!" Momma shouted. "Stop it right now!"

"Shut up!" Daddy roared. "Get out of my sight!"

Standing at the fireplace, Momma reached up, took down Grandpa Burke's shotgun, broke it open and pushed in two shells. "No, Momma!" I yelled as I ripped open the bedroom door, nearly knocking Melinda to the floor. I heard Danny leaping off the bed behind me and crying out, frightened.

Daddy turned when I yelled. Seeing Momma with the shotgun he slammed the refrigerator door shut and then started for the living room. As he rounded the partition I could see her bringing up the double barrels, preparing to fire. I bolted out of the bedroom, running for Daddy, planning on pushing him out of the way.

The shotgun blast never touched him, but it knocked me off my feet, stinging my back and my head and hurling me into the partition. I bounced back, flopping on the floor, my vision quickly fading to total darkness.

An instant later I found myself in a park filled with light. Off to my right was a group of people. I didn't recognize any of them. Then a familiar figure walked past them and came up to me.

"Hi, Grandpa. What are you doing here?"

Grandpa Burke smiled, gave me a hug and then said, "I've come to show you something."

"Am I dead, Grandpa?"

-"Light from the Other Side"