"Bec, Bec," I heard a woman say.  "You were almost killed but you are safe now, you have a second chance." I felt like I was outside my body just then, unable to move and not believing it was me lying under covers in a hospital bed.  At least here I only have two other roommates.  Maybe I will have some time to sort things out.

"Rebecca," the woman said, "Denny was here but I sent him away.  He was drunk and filthy and I didn't think he would be able to comfort you.  I'll comfort you if you'll let me." Who is this woman I am thinking, a friend, a relative, a social worker? I was too tired to come back inside myself and open my eyes to see.  I will sleep some more and maybe then I will understand.

Later that  same day, or was it the next day or the next, I awoke again but this time there was no woman's voice.  I felt like a conch shell, brittle and hollow with the sound of the ocean in the background.  What had happened to me?  I remember getting the black dust from the drifter and then a white light and then being here.  Is this heaven? Or purgatory? Whatever it is, it feels wiere and empty and I am so tired. I will try and think of something pleasant to make me fall asleep again.

I was thinking of the time we had slave day at school.  It must have been the 6th grade and I had a terrible crush on Ted Moore.  He had freckles and rabbit teeth and was little but I still adored him from afar.  I chose him as my slave and made him wear my mother's night gown all day long and some Mary Janes I found in her closet.  I never told anyone this but I slept in that gown the next 2 nights so I could feel close to Ted.  Cute Ted.