In Sickness and in Death by Jaye P. Marshall

found her lying on the living room couch staring glassyeyed at the flickering television screen and clasping his last portrait to her breast. There were deep, dark circles under her eyes, her hair was disheveled and she wore not a smidgeon of makeup. My God Mom , he thought. You’ve got to snap out of it . In his frustration, Brian thought, Dad, you gotta help me! Immediately, he found himself beside his father with a small group of socializing entities. Glancing around the group, Brian recognized his grandparents and a couple other spirits who were familiar. He must have met them since coming here, but he wasn’t sure who they were; he just picked up a caring, helpful vibration when he looked at them.
    “What is it, son?” his dad asked. “You seem upset.”
    “Oh, Dad, it’s Mom. She’s just not acting like her normal self – it’s like she’s really depressed or something – and nothing I do seems to help at all.”
    His father’s eyes clouded with concern as he glanced around the group. Finally, he nodded slightly. “Maybe we can help.”

    In the wee hours of the morning, a group of relatives surrounded Vivian’s bed. Pooling their powers of concentration, they projected happy visions of the past into her subconscious mind. The first scene revealed the newly married Forresters attending a family reunion where they happily joined into the singing, dancing, conversation and laughter. Vivian’s furrowed brow seemed to relax, if only just a little. That scene shifted into one of a family vacation at the shore when the kids were small. Happiness and carefree enjoyment exuded from all the participants as they built sand castles and splashed in the surf. A slight smile curved Vivian’s lips. Another shift and Brian was shown being happily greeted by all of the family members who had already passed over. Vivian’s smile faded, but the frown didn’t return. Another fade-out and Vivian was shown an older version of herself surrounded by all of her laughing grandchildren. This tableau was accompanied by the projected thought that she should really enjoy her future years with what remained of her family. A somewhat sad smile twitched around her mouth.
    As if on signal, the spirits faded as one.
    “I hope we got through to her,” Brian commented.
    “Me too, Son. Me too.”

Chapter 15

    On Saturday evening, earth time, Brian found Adrienne in the restaurant of a glitzy Las Vegas casino in the company of three young women he recognized as other nurses from the hospital. They had apparently just finished their meal and were lingering over drinks while they discussed how they intended to spend the rest of the evening. So she wasn’t lying, Brian thought. She actually was going to Vegas with some of the gals. Maybe she really is trying to turn herself around after all. One girl pushed back her chair and tossed her crumpled napkin onto the table. “I think I’ll go hit the slots.”
    “I want to check out the tables,” another announced.
    “I’m with you,” said the third. “Are you coming, Adrienne?”
    “You guys go ahead,” Adrienne said with a shrug. “I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.”
    The others rose from the table and, laughing, headed for the casino. Adrienne watched them leave and then she, too, stood up and walked away. Brian followed her into the ladies room where she carefully observed her reflected image in the mirror and then touched up her makeup.
    Apparently satisfied with the results, she turned and left with Brian trailing along. Instead of heading to the casino, she drifted toward a shopping area and perused the offerings of several shops. She soon strolled into a jewelry store and leaned over a glass display case.
    Well, she always did like jewelry , Brian thought. At least she’s not buying anything. Feeling a tug, Brian instantly found himself beside his father at the edge of a sparkling lake. His dad smiled a welcome.
    “So, how’s she doing?”
    Brian frowned.