Saving Gracie Read Online Free Page B

reached across the small table and covered Grace’s hand with hers. “Thank you,” she whispered.
    Grace fought the urge to yank her hand back. What was her mother thinking? Who cared about Easter baskets at a time like this?
    ~~~
    Kathryn drifted in and out of a more peaceful sleep. At times she’d open her eyes and speak, bringing Grace immediately to her side.
    “Ruth,” Kathryn said, “You’re here. But I can’t go….” Her voice trailed off into silence.
    “No Mom, it’s me. Gracie. I’m here, not Aunt Ruth.” Her mother’s older sister had died three years ago.
    Kathryn’s conversations continued through the night, always bringing Grace to the bed. There were others besides Ruth her mother talked to…names Grace didn’t recognize.
    On Good Friday Kathryn, by her earlier request, was transferred to the Hospice Patient Care Facility in the Medical Center. At daybreak Easter morning Grace stepped down the hall for a cup of coffee. When she returned Kathryn had taken her last breath.
    Tears streaming down her face, Grace leaned over and wrapped her arms around her mother’s still body. “Even now, you’re still calling the shots.”
    Later that evening Grace retrieved the carefully constructed Easter baskets from the closet in the study and gave them to Hannah and Josh. Through tears, the four of them sat and looked through the woven containers assembled with love.

CHAPTER 5
    KATHRYN AND MAGGIE
     
    The glowing light drew Kathryn forward, gently pulling her through a billowy-white cloudbank. No fear, no sadness, no trepidation, just comfort and peace filled her along the most pleasant journey she’d ever experienced…that she remembered.
    At the very moment the white light flying sensation ended, a hand closed around hers.
    “Who’s that?” Kathryn asked, her eyes squeezed shut.
    “Well, open your eyes, silly.”
    Kathryn inched open an eye and saw her sister in front of her. “Hey, it really is you!” Kathryn said.
    “Of course it’s me,” Ruth said. “Who were you expecting, the boogie man?”
    “That’s not funny.”
    “Yes it was.” A mischievous smile was on Ruth’s face. “Besides, I told you I’d be waiting.”
    “Yeah, but I don’t believe in that nonsense, remember?” Kathryn looked down, wondering how her clothes had weathered the trip. Surprisingly well, she noted.
    “Nonsense, huh?” Ruth squeezed her sister’s hand tighter. “You’d better hold on!”
    “Why—” was the only word Kathryn spoke before being beamed forward. Together they traveled through a vortex of whirling vibrant colors resembling a psychedelic water slide…not that Kathryn had ever been on a water slide.
    Quickly approaching the end of the tunnel Kathryn caught sight of a shallow pool. Before having a chance to complain what the water would do to her hair—not to mention her clothes—she and Ruth slipped into tranquil, glistening sparkles of light.
    Immediately on her feet, Kathryn surveyed the damage. Instead of looking like she’d just been pulled out of a washing machine her clothes, a tasteful, but totally unfamiliar outfit, felt completely dry, and from what she could tell her hair was untouched. “Can we do that again?”
    “I thought you didn’t believe in that nonsense.” Ruth stood beside Kathryn, hands on hips.
    “I don’t.” Kathryn said.
    “I see.” Ruth grabbed Kathryn’s hand again and headed across the pool. “C’mon, they’re waiting.”
    A welcoming group at the edge of the glistening sparkles offered warm embraces and greetings to Kathryn. Some she recognized immediately. Others, she knew she knew, but from where? This was getting weird.
    After the short reunion, Ruth led Kathryn to a nearby building. A tall structure with bronze tinted windows sent rays of reflected gold light outward. The sign on the door simply read INTAKE.
    “I’ll be back for you later,” Ruth said.
    “Wait!” Kathryn screamed, nervous about being left alone. “Can we have a cup