Google Ghosts - Episode #1 - a Psychic Cyber Serial by tony baksa

                                      

The wine had made him light headed as it always did. Nothing new there. He never really got drunk. He just wouldn't allow that. That would be losing control. No way that was going to happen. Recognizing the onset of light headiness was his signal to stop drinking the wine. It was always wine - usually red, dry and lightly chilled.

Feeling the glow, he felt invincible as he always did in the realm of his light wine head. This time, however, it was a dim, unhappy glow. Too much had happened this year and it was only May. A guy can take just so much - even a guy like him - he who took all the sorrows and grief with philosophical grace. This time it just was too much.  Death had visited far too often and although not a crier, he resorted to anger and wine. Enough is enough!

Walking over to his computer, our hero sits down with the strangest purpose. A fancy has invaded his mind and dictates that he Google his dearly departed. And so he begins without thinking - without resistance he enters the name of his first deceased loved one. What happened next did not send him running. It did not cause the expected stir. No, our weekend wino just sat there accepting what he saw as if this result of his googling was what he was searching for. Truth is he didn't know what he was searching for. He entered a name and what he got would be surprising and scary to most but not him. For him it seemed natural a "but of course" moment tinged with a spark of "I've been waiting for this for ever so long" and a "Thank you, Jesus." thrown in for good measure.

What appeared on his wide all-in-one monitor was his dead parents - his apparently not dead parents. It was like Skype. There they were smiling and full of talk. "How are you? We've been waiting for you. What took you so long. So glad you figured it out."

"But I haven't figured anything out, Mom. It just somehow came to me as an option - a way to see you. I just felt compelled to Google you and half expected this result. Curious isn't it?"

"We've been watching you, son - your mother and I. You must stop being so sad all the time. People die. That's life."

"But Dad, you don't look dead. Where are you?"

"Well, dear boy, no one really dies. Those stories about going toward the light and transitioning and reuniting with loved ones are all true." How wonderful is that?"

"Oh, Dad, really!"

"Yes, honey, really" wept his Mom. "It is so beautiful here. But not perfect. We have lessons to learn  - and atonement - there is that."

"Oh."

"But we are free of pain and grief. That is huge, son." his father added.

"What do you two have to atone for - that seems inconceivable to me."

"We are all sinners, my boy. There's plenty to regret and be sorry for - plenty."

"But Dad, isn't that what hell is for?"

Mom and Dad laughed. "Sweetheart, there is no hell - only heaven - well, we don't refer to this as heaven - but if you could understand our lives now - you'd call it heaven" Mom said.

"Even with the atonement?"

"Especially with the atonement."

" What does that mean?"

"Son, lets not get ahead of ourselves. Too much for you to consider right now. We'll take it slow, okay/" Dad advised.

"But, Dad.."

"No, son. Leave it alone for now."

"It is just that I have missed you guys so much and seeing you now...

"We know, honey - there's time - loads of time. Lets save it for another day." his mother urged.

"I love you both so much."

"We know, son."

"Hey, who else is there with you. Have you seen Norma? I so want..."

"Its time to go, honey."

"Mom. no - wait."

"Google us tomorrow night - bye baby"

And the screen went white. Then the computer shut down only to restart and return to normal - a collage of family portraits appeared as usual for his screen saver.

He was no longer light headed from the wine. He was, for him, sober. Of course, he was never drunk - just well - you know. The reality of what just happened sank in and now - now he was incredulous. "Was I drunk - did I dream this - did I fall asleep at the computer? Who falls asleep at their computer?" - thoughts rushing through his brain.

Mom and Dad looked so well -  and happy - content - at peace - alive - so alive!

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

It was late. He was alone. He's always alone. Being always alone, he does anything he wants to do without fear of reproach or judgment. Therefore, he popped another cork of dry red wine - chilled -  to accompany a serious into the late night ponder.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

After he downed 2 goblets his light headiness returned as did his casual ways and acceptance of whatever would occur. Again, he felt compelled to Google. This time he would Google Norma. And like his earlier search, he was rewarded with a result. Norma appeared just like Mom and Dad - clear and vivid.
                                             

"Norma, oh Norma, you look marvelous and so young!"

"I know" she said without a hint of conceit.

"I suppose Mom and Dad told you we spoke earlier."

"No. I haven't seen them for quite some time. Did you see them?"

"Yes, I did. I assumed you and they well, don't you all - I don't know - hang out?"

"Not really. Perhaps later on - I'm not sure. I do know they are happy and pleased with things. I'm so glad for them."

"Why, I mean, when did you last see them?" - sounding a little frustrated.

Norma thought for a brief moment, "I last saw them at their house in West Hills."

"West Hills?" No I mean up there or - um - there - you know, where you are now."

She laughed. "I haven't seen them here as yet. I suspect it'll be a while until I do."

"But, wait - you mean you haven't seen our parents in 4 years? Didn't they greet you when you died - after you went toward the light and such - they told me that was all true."

"Oh, it is. I'm sorry. I forgot. I was greeted by them and so many others. That was the only time I saw them. Its okay. I feel them and they feel me. It is very much like being together. We just have our own agendas presently."

"Presently! 4 years - presently? "

"Oh, Artie. Calm yourself. Have some more wine."

He did just that.

"Look, Artie. I've been busy atoning. I had no idea its been  4 years. Time doesn't stretch out in front of us as it did when we were, for lack of a better term, alive. "

"What do you have to atone for? "

"We are all sinners, Artie."

"That's what Mom and Dad said."

"Oh, the awful things we do. You'd be amazed at how horrible we can be on earth. Just terrible. And not even know we are being bad."

"That's not fair. How can we know? "

"Oh, we know. We just look the other way, as they say. we rationalize, we deny, we...oh Artie, this is too much for you right now. We have plenty of time."

"Also, what Mom and Dad said."

Norma laughed "Google me tomorrow night okay?" and the screen turned white followed by a reboot and Artie's familial screen saver.

"Also, what Mom and Dad said."

Artie drinks and ponders.
More wine and more Google - this time he'll Google Clifford who passed in January. Then Jill who died in March. Oh, Gregory would be great to see. His death was so tragic. He passed in April. They were all tragic. Clifford, Jill and Gregory died far too young from illnesses that visited pain upon them. Such pain. And yet they have to atone? Doesn't physical suffering account for some atonement? Something seems so terribly unfair about this. Yet Mom and Dad and Norma were fine with it.

"I need answers! I miss my family and friends. I hate that they suffered. I can't face another death. Why am I witness to all this death?"

Back to Google - he starts with Clifford who died from a long list of things complicated by another long list of conditions - lupus and pancreatic cancer taking center stage.

As Artie began to Google he shouted at the monitor, "Come on Clifford be forth right. Tell me what my parents and sister won't. And why won't they? What could be more shocking then dealing with loss. the loss of all the people I loved. I can take anything you tell me, Clifford. Really."
                                             

"Calm down, Art." Clifford began as he materialized on the screen.

"Clifford. Oh gosh - Clifford!" - no longer the calm wine drinker.

"Hi Artie!"

"Are you okay, Cliff? You look okay. You look very okay. "

"I'm okay".

"Clifford, you suffered so."

"Yes."

"You were so full of life."

"I still am, Art."

"So, are you atoning, too?"

"Of course. No one is exempt from atonement."

"How long must you atone?"

"I don't know. Doesn't matter, though. I kinda dig it."

"You were pretty - what? - naughty before you got so sick. But, Jesus, you paid for your sins here. Lupus and pancreatic cancer was no picnic, Cliff."

"It was hell"

"So what exactly do you do to atone?"

"Google me tomorrow night. We have lots of time. I'll tell you more tomorrow." and Clifford dissolved into a white screen that shut down and rebooted as before with the other Google Ghosts - screen saver flickering.

Artie thought " What's with these evasive exits. Just when I might learn something they disappear."

He decided to Google Jill and Gregory tomorrow before he contacted his parents, sister and Clifford, again. Drinking his last drop and corking the half filled wine bottle, Artie collapsed on his sofa and instantly feel into a deep dreamless slumber.