Bridge Over Troubled Waters

When we walked into the light, there was a loud ringing in my ears, and it felt like my head was exploding. With one last POP! I was shuddered back down onto a place that was as familiar as my own shadow.
Oklahoma land!
In fact, we'd landed right on Darry's front porch. The nostalgia of it almost made me cry, but I held myself together. Dally, on the other hand, was busy patting down his body, thinking life had been restored. I left him to frolic in the yard, and went inside. In the house, the Curtis brothers had dressed up nicely, with ties. Wow. This wasn't like them. What was going on?
Oh. Right. The hearing.
I figured that as the hearing was about the crime I had commited, the man I had killed, I should probably tag along.
Once we were at the courthouse, I was able to kick back and relax. There weren't many people there, but most people gave a rendition of their side of the story. I was amazed at the truthfulness of everything, I thought the Socs might pull something funny and completely blame it on me. When the judge got around to speaking to Ponyboy, Ponyboy looked like he was going to wet his pants. However, instead of asking Ponyboy what happened, the judge merely chatted to him about things like school, and his social life. Ponyboy didn't get charged with anything.
At that moment, I would have given so much to have given Ponyboy a hug. He looked so down, so pale. I was gonna miss him.
I looked around the courtroom, taking a long look at everyone. In my mind, I gave everyone the good-bye that I never had a chance to.
Good-bye, Ponyboy Curtis.
Good-bye, Cherry Valance.
Good-bye, Darral Curtis.
I'm gonna miss you guys.
Being a spirit, I was able to teleport quickly back to the Curtis' front yard. Dally was there, deeply saddened over the fact that his death wasn't just a bad nightmare.
In those few hours I had returned to this earth, I learned so many things.
Not to be afraid of death. It is a natural thing, that happens to everyone, and you shouldn't be ashamed, or angry. Every life touches another, and no life leaves without an imprint on the world.
I explained this to Dally, and I could see he understood.
We linked arms, and walked together, binded forever, into an afterlife that anyone could be grateful for.

Forever I will remain,
writing no more,
Jonathon Nathaniel Cade

November 16, 2008