Early morning, June 23, 1999. "Jacob come here boy!" That's nanna she is a sweet lady an all but...
'I'm not gonna ask again young man.' Said Nanna as she entered my bedroom where I was... 'still in bed?' Pulling the pillow over my head I groaned. "Come... on... Nanna! It's six in the morning!" She let a deep sigh. 'I know precisely what time it is.' Her toned softened a bit. "You know what?" Of course I knew! "Yes Nanna... I know... God loves me... and he expects my love in return." Her eyes got wide and she startled me as she acknowledged my response. "That's right dear!" I let my mind intentionally wander while I awaited the deep Bible lecture surely to follow. But... not this time, this time she sqwinched up her face and turned to leave. As she got to the door she grabbed the knob and paused. Looking over her shoulder at me she said. "Jacob?" I was uneasy, she looked extra serious. "Get cleaned up and come on down for breakfast. I wanna show you something." Now she had my attention, I love surprises! "Yes mam!" I had to hollar it as she was already headed down the hall.

As I headed downstairs, I could smell the Bacon frying and hear its sizzle! My stomach growled with anticipation. Mary Corsett, or Nanna as most called her, could flat out cook! She was seventy-six now but you wouldn't tell by watching her she was strong and healthy. She, always a strong women of faith, of course accredited God with everything!

Her apron was dark shade of purple and on the front it read in all caps, BECAUSE HE LIVES! Her short gray hair was as usual imprisoneed beneath a hair net. She suddenly locked her blue eyes on me and with a clickity clack! headed my way. I hung my head I knew that look. "Young man, we need to talk!" "Your school called today and said you been bullying other children." I completely lost it and started yelling and crying. Nanna lost it with me to and yelled. "Go to your room this very second young man!"

That Afternoon at about Four O'clock Nanna came to my door and tapped lightly. "Jacob, dear?" said Nanna as the doorknob turned. I was asleep, yep! out cold. I had passed out lying across my bed facedown so my feet hung off the mattress. "Wake up boy!" "It's Four in the afternoon!" I groaned loudly. "Nanna paaleeeze!" She ininterrupted before I could say more." She sat down and rubbed my back. She spoke soothingly to me. "Now... don't tell me you forgot... already!" She sounded dismayed. "Forgot what?" My words were drowsy. "I've got something to show ya!" My eyes popped open. "Yeah!" I jumped up and said. "What is it Nanna? I can't wait!" She smiled and motioning with her hand said follow me. "Hey Nanner, wait up!" I hollared as i ran to catch up.

I caught up just as she began her decent down the stairs. We were half down when the phone rang out. It startled us and we both jumped a little. I announced "I'll get it!" and started to take off toward the for the living room where it hung noisily from the wall. Nanna hollared, "wait!"
and I paused abruptly teetering on the last couple of steps. After regaining my balance I turned and waited for her to catch up. Waving her hands in a no big deal fashion she said, "the machine will get dear, we can call back." Two rings later and the machine sprung into action with a loud beeping. "Hi, Mary... it's Connie, I just wanted let you know we've drawn another blank... (Connie let out a sigh), in the meantime we'll just keep on praying for their killers capture." A less audible voice could be heard in the background. "Connie?" the voice spoke just above a whisper. "Yeah, Bill?" replyed Connie. "Find out about Jacob... and just leave the rest alone for now... they've dealt with enough." Whispered Bill. "Yea... ah... oka... ay!" She grew impatient the more he spoke. "Anyway, keep your head up hone, it'll get better."
"Bill and I both love you and Jacob! Kiss him for us, and call me if you need me. Bye!" The line went dead... silence. It all makes me hurt so bad and though they mean well, the messages added salt to wounds.

Okay, quickly before we go on any further, let me use this time to explain the darker side of things. Ruth and I's parents were found dead in our Mini-Van. On June, 23, 1998, basically one year ago to date. After a long investigation that pointed strongly toward murder, a verdict of murder/suicide was upheld. My father had a twenty-two caliber pistol in his hand as though he had killed mom and then himself. I never bought it! My parents were madly in love and I know my father would have never. Besides he had absolutely zero motive. Anyway, tears roll down my cheeks now as I talk about this. Oh, and quickly so your up to date, Connie and Bill are good friends of Nanna. It just so happens Bill is ah detective for the Guyton police department. He has been working graciously on our behalf to bust the case open and bring mom and dad justice. I'm so thankful we have them to help, they're getting older now at fifty-eight, him, and fifty-six, her. He has vowed to bring justice to us before he retires, I sure hope he can. Okay... back to where we were. Give me a minute... oh yeah! Nanna's got something to show me in the living-room!

Looking back to make sure I was coming she headed in the living room and said, "Have a seat, I'll be right back." And she was, quickly emerging from a closet, holding what looked like a big suitcase. The living room was very spacious. I scanned it trying to decide where I'd sit. Milcah, our fat Persian Cat lie across the arm of our of our thick brown leather couch, kneading it with her claws. It had big leather cushions filled with foam and cotton. The arms that Milcah was currently kneading also had foam and cotton inside. The white stuck out like a sore thumb through the slits Milcah had cut all throughout it. Nanna let out a gasp and reaching for the newspaper on the coffee table table in front of the couch yelled. "You blasted beast of a cat!" "You bad... bad girl... you!" Milcah looked confused and her hair stood up on her back and tail as she jumped down. Nanna ran her fingers across the damage then told Milcah off again under her breath, before finally plopping down on the sofa herself and calling me closer.

Yep, it was a suitcase alright. "Nanna?" "Whats with the suitcase?" She had set it along side the couch. It was black and square but had a raised lid that curved so that it looked like a dome, stitching around its edges hung loose from years of wear, abrasions littered it's under side. "What's inside Nanna?" I now spoke from genuine curiosity. Smiling ear to ear Nanna said. "Well we'll just have to find out!" I watched with anticipation as her frail fingers grasp each rusted metal clasp. She released them with a pop as my heart raced. Dust bunnies fled as its old lid creaked open. It was!... it... was!... empty! I was very disappointed but figured i'll do my best not to show it. "Wooow... Nanna... it's... an... empty box!" She let out a snicker and said. "Is that all it is?" Now I was really getting confused. "Ah... I'm no Einstein, but it sure looks that way to me!" I talk with my hands, so of course it looked like I was giving an introduction on the case or something. She laughed out loud now, as I sat there, arms crossed, with you gotta be kidding me written all over my face. Nanna quit laughing and took in a deep breath before grabbing my hand and telling me to do the same. I did and held my breath expecting her say what to do next. Well! she didn't... and the cherry red color of my face must have given me away because, she gasped and said. "Breath boy!"
I let it out all at once and felt woosey as the blood returned to my face. "I thought you'd never say that!" Giggling she said, "silly boy." She got very quiet and and her facial expression dead serious. "Now listen closely... you have to be completely serious now got it?" I nodded.

I was not much wanting to talk anymore, but I respect Nanna very much, so I appeased her by doing as I was told. She looked at me solemnly for a couple of minutes, holding up the stop signal with her hand if I tried to speak. "Relax now, and hear me out." Said Nanna, calm and authoritatively. I gave a go ahead nod and off we went! Bare with me here because you're gonna find out exactly what I mean by, off WE went, starting right... about... now! She sat there opened suitcase in her lap. "Do me a favor and look inside the suitcase." Puzzled, yet curious, I had a look inside. She continued. "This is not just any old empty suitcase, this is an empty suitcase full of memories." Her eyes widened as she stared me down. Finally she spoke. "Well dear? What do you see?" Without her seeing me I rolled my eyes and said. "An... empty box."
"First off you have to be serious here Jacob, rolling your eyes is not serious." Perhaps noticing I was clueless, she said this as she rose to her feet securing the suitcase in her hand. "Come here child."

We walked to the kitchen and she set the case on the floor and sat at the table. Smiling reassuringly she said. "Give me case please." I set the case in front of her backward and she spun it toward her. "Have a seat right here if you will." She patted on a chair right next to hers. I sat dumbfounded and waited. She looked at me intensely and said. "Now, it is very important that you listen to me and follow all my instructions... got it?" I uneasily responded with. "Yee... ess... mam." Raising her eyebrows she made eye contact with me and said. "Very well!, now close you're eyes and breath in and out slowly, try your best to clear your mind completely." I did and mumbled yes mam. "Great, now keep breathing and when I say open, open up those eyes! Got it?" She was beginning to peak my interest now and I had a little life in my reply. "Got it!" After sitting there about ten minutes, though it felt like an eternity she said "OPEN!" So I did... and hang on to your seat because the rest of this is wild!

When I reopened my eyes I was still at the table with Nanna... but things were different all right. First of all and most obvious Nanna was my age now! Also everything in the house looked nostalgic. And the suitcase was gone! I was afraid so I quickly asked "Where are we Nan... na? And where is the suitcase?" Child Nanna was not nearly as sweet as the one I knew. Rolling her eyes she said. "Wow!, typical boy... soooo... I suppose I'll have to explain an awful lot?" I slowly nodded my head yes, eyes big as saucers! "Alright, first off remain calm at all times next, don't touch anything!" I nodded yes as I reached for the salt shaker in front of me. She screamed out "Nooo!" And I yanked my hand back fast. Slapping her forehead she said. "It... is... going to be a long day!" Wasting no time she sprouted up and said. "Follow me." She guided me toward a huge bookshelf surrounding an awesome looking fireplace. The shelf was spotless. Now, I'm not sure if Mary, (let's go with Mary for now since calling little Nanna... Nanna! Is just weird!) Could read my mind but what she said next had me convinced. "You know... A dust free bookcase could hold a lot of lies." Said Mary matter of factly. Taken aback I said. "How... did you...?" She broke in. "Know you were thinking about how clean the bookcase was and about lies?" I nodded. She laughed pointedly saying. "Because all this has already taken place." She sqwinched her face up and looked at me guiltyly. Knowing she had just dropped a serious bomb on me. "Wait ah minute here!" I began backpedaling and suddenly felt faint. This is all a dream... I'm gonna wake up very soon. I was beginning to panic and I didn't notice the doll lying on the ground behind me. Motioning me with her hands she said. "Easy... I know it's a lot to grasp but remember... stay calm." I failed to listen and I hit the doll behind me and free fell for the hardwood floor, hitting my head with a thud. Groaning, I looked around but everything slowly faded in and out and then... darkness! I was out cold!

I don't know how long I was out but, I half expected to be back in my bed when I came to... I wasn't sure where I was at this point, since it was pitch black dark, but I was about to get another surprise. I heard the creaking of floorboards and heard the faint sound of voices out side my door. I flat out lost it! I screamed help me as loud as I could as tears rolled down my cheeks. My mind raced as I told my self, any minute, Nanna is gonna come through that door, and you'll know it was all just a dream. I got one part right someone did come in to check on me... but it wasn't Nanna! the door flew open and the room lit up. And, I always get choked up here so bare with me. It was my mother! I sprung out that bed so elated to see her, all 150 pounds of her! Her hair was the usual golden brown, curly, shoulder length style I remembered, she was tanned and she had on her favorite P J's! Oh... and her blue eyes. I began sobbing uncontrollably as we embraced one another. I had so many questions so I just went for it. "Mom, I missed you so much!" "Where's dad?" With tears streaming down her face she hollared "Bill! you better get in here... quick!" Moments later another figured appeared at the door it was Dad! Still tall dark and handsome as mom always said! He walked over cautiously and sat beside us in the bed. He was pale... liked he'd just seen a ghost. I thought about how I hated to have to tell him he WAS a ghost. Dad and I locked eyes and he grabbed me in his arms and we cried tears of joy! The three of us reunited finally!

The three of us spent the whole day just catching up. But that evening, I knew it was time for the hard part. We were sitting on there bed silent for like the first time since we met that day. I took a deep breath and sat up as I said. "Mom... Dad?" They looked at me and said. "Yes buddy?" Tears again began to run down my cheeks. I... I... I'm sorry you got killed." I buried my face in mom's lap and sobbed. "Wha... what did you just say?!
"I know I know... it's a lot to take in!" I said between sobs. "Jacob?" I sat up. they both looked me in the eyes and dad said choking back tears. "Don't you know?" I looked up confused and said. "Know what?" Dad sighed. "Son we're not dead... you died in a car wreck along with your Nanna." I felt faint as they explained. "She was at a red light when her foot slipped off the brake." "The car accelerated before the signal turned green!" As soon as they said this they were gone. And I was with Nanna again. Only now she bathed in a beautiful light and everywhere I looked was beauty! Even the streets were gold! I said "Nanna... where are we?" she smiled. "The place we always talked about baby!" Then it hit me, and I yelled. "HEAVEN?!" I was overwhelmed with joy! I saw every family member I lost to death and I felt no more pain or sadness. Everyone started chanting praise the Lord! Nanna said behold and we all bowed. Then. "Jacob come hither!" "Jesus!!!"