The Mirror

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The Mirror

by Deck Cheatham

Jack dies. You loved Daniel and he loved you, but as you grew, you

He finds himself walking down a dirt lane. In the forgot him.” Yes, I did. distance, he sees a gate. As he nears, he sees a man Again, the image changes. I remember him. He’s the Priest tending a garden. He’s not sure what has happened. He in Rome. He toured us around the duomo and prayed for us. remembers grasping for breath and clutching his chest. “Yes, he did. And you thought he was a bit strange. You And now, he is walking down this quiet country were also impatient.” Well, I had places to go. Who is lane. Curious, he walks toward the gate. he, anyway? “He is the stranger who took you in,

Jack greets the gardener. Hello, sir. who tried to show you how to live in “Hello, Jack.” How do you know my name? the present. “I know everyone who comes to my Now, Jack sees two doors. gate.” What is your name? “Peter.” Is this I remember those. They’re replicas the road to Heaven? “Some say so. Some of doors in Italy. “Would you like to call it the road of good intention.” enter?” No. That man might be inside.

Am I in Heaven? “Not yet.” Where We made a mistake when he asked if we am I? Is that the Pearly Gate? “Could be.” would like to see the church and we said That old rickety thing! “What did you yes. I thought we would never shake him. expect?” Well, I thought maybe some gold. And who is he? “He’s every lonely “Heaven isn’t what you think.” person wishing for a kind word and

I’m confused. “Most are.” What’s someone to value him for who he is.” next? Do I have to answer some questions I don’t understand. “The answer or something? You know, I’m not perfect, is simple. Your time with Daniel was but I did give money to the homeless and when you were closest to God. But went to church most Sundays. “Not quite. as time passed, you traveled farther And I don’t need a resume’. Before away. The Priest and the docent were anyone enters Heaven, each must look angels who crossed your path to in this mirror.” show you the way—God speaking to

Jack hadn’t noticed the mirror. your soul. Surprised, he felt jitters. Peter, I’m not worthy to enter.

“All you must do is look into the Please forgive me. mirror. But beware, you will see yourself At that, the locks fall from the as you are, not as you think you are.” gate and Jack is welcomed.

Uneasy, Jack looks into the mirror. Peter turned to look down the At first, he sees himself. Slowly, the road. A man is approaching. image changes and he sees Daniel, the Hello, Sir. “Hello, Sam.” How do black field hand from his Dad’s farm. you know my name?

Why do I see Daniel? “Because as a 38 // December 2020 child, Daniel looked after you. He was your guardian angel. About The Author Deck Cheatham has been a golf professional for some 40 years. He lives with his family in Dalton. He is a guest columnist for the Rome News Tribune, The Daily Citizen, and the Calhoun Times. Email him at pgadeacon@gmail.com.