Part II An Eternity Together: The Adventure Begins By Jim Kittelberger Prologue Daybreak was magnificent. There was a snap of chill in the air as the sun rose in the sky magnifying the beauty below. The landscape of country roads meandering through fields just planted and beginning to grow, and the farms in the distance seemed to the children of Jack and Ruth to coincide exactly with their parents wish they had entrusted to them. Ruth's death just a year after Jack's seemed preordained. Ruth had been inconsolable for such a long time but then seemed to gain some peace and acceptance when her own health started to fail. The children knew that their parents adored them, but they also knew that their parents had a world where only the two of them resided. Ruth's wish was that after her death, her ashes were to be mingled with the ashes of Jack and released on a day just like today. Their belief was that upon being set free they would be together again in a new dimension for all eternity. ___________________________________________________________________ The train roared through the long night, smoke and sparks billowing out from it's engine, flying by the windows which looked out on a moonless, blank landscape, racing to it's destination and determined to arrive at precisely the set time. After the long nights passage it lurched to a stop, and the doors opened onto a platform bathed in glorious sunshine. Ruth awakened from the most wonderful night's sleep, refreshed and delightfully happy. She was giddily expectant, as if she was going to her own birthday party and impatient to see what wonderful gifts she might receive. As if from another time, she knew she wanted someone to share this moment with, but there was no one, which made the happiness fade as she sat back down in her seat. The car emptied as the other passengers departed in happy expectations. As she looked out on the platform, the crowds gradually dispersed until there was no one. A sadness cloaked her, a sadness that seemed familiar and complete. The sunlight dimmed as the car was enclosed in a gray pall and tears fell from its sole occupant. Suddenly, the door opened, and a young man appeared at the front of the car. "Ruthie, Ruthie, is that you?" Ruth, whose head was bowed in sadness and desolation jerked as if wakening from a dream. "Jack? Is that you Jack?" She jumped up suddenly and entering the aisle they met half way. The sunlight again bathed the car with its golden glow as they embraced each other desperately, knowing that they had crossed that abyss between life and eternity. It was only after clinging to each other for a long, long time, convinced that it was not a dream, did they feel secure enough to let each other go. "I'm so sorry for being late Ruthie, but that darn car of ours is acting up again." They laughed like that was the funniest thing they had ever heard. When they finally left the train car hand in hand, the questions started. "What is life like here Jack? "By the way, you look great, she said, not able to take her eyes off him; maybe the word is hot. Do you think you would mind taking an old lady like me to bed and hold me tight and never let me go?" Ruth asked shyly, and very out of character, knowing only that she wanted him next to her again. "Ruthie my love, don't you know what you look like? Here, look at your reflection in this depot window. What do you see?" Ruth looked and was startled to see looking back at her what seemed a snapshot of her many years ago. "Jack, I look to be twenty-five or thirty years old. Is it possible?" "Ruth, it is indeed possible, your appearance will reflect what you believe is the best you. And what is better yet, any wisdom we were so lucky to acquire in life remains with us." As they walked on in silence, passing houses that looked like a set from a Hollywood movie from the fifties, she took his hand. "Where will we live Jack?" "That's one of the best things yet," he began. "The house we lived in most of our lives is our home again, stairs and all. We won't have to worry about our legs wearing out, or anything else," he chuckled. "Jack, she remarked with a smile, are you talking dirty to me, here of all places?" "You bet Ruthie, you bet." As they walked back to the railroad depot, they headed for the parking lot; Ruth stopped and placed her hand over her mouth as she spotted the yellow Buick. "That makes it just about perfect," she said laughing. The next morning, after a night of little sleep and a breakfast of eggs, bacon, bagels and cream cheese and fruit washed down with a pot of fresh coffee, Jack suggested they take a trip. "Can we Jack? Just like that?" Ruth asked, still full of questions. "Indeed we can my sweets, and not only can we go where we want, but one of the wonders in this dimension is we can choose the century, the year or even the day we wish to visit in." Jack wanted to tell her all the astonishing things they could experience here, that here indeed was the place where unfulfilled dreams in life could really come true. "Oh Jack please, I really can't think where", she paused, "It's too much for me to think," she stopped. "I've been thinking," Jack began, giving her a chance to absorb what she had been told, "since we both admired Ernest Hemingway's writing, how about searching for him in Paris in the twenties." Ruth's eyes lit up with the incredulity of it, "Let's do it Jack, it sounds fantastic."