Eternity To Enjoy It

I barely notice the horse as he walks, his gait is so incredibly smooth, we’ve been riding all morning on this ridge, and have settled down into a nice groove. My friend Joshua rides just behind me, drinking in this Rocky Mountain scene: cool breeze, bluebird skies, and a well-marked trail, with sweeping views right out of a dream. We’ve been riding for a few days now, the trip has been nothing but sublime. “Around the next ridge,”Joshua says, “We’ll come upon the town of Centerline.” The thought of a drink, a shave, and hot bath puts a smile across my tanned face, so we ride around a pillar of stone, and gaze down a hill upon the small place. It’s then that I sensed something not quite right, I had been to Centerline before. Where was the highway, the exit ramp? What had happened to the big box stores? And why could I see, sharp as a hawk, when there were no glasses upon my head? Why were my forearms smooth and muscled, and why were loose strands of my hair dark red? What was I even doing riding a horse? Doctor told me to stop ten years back. And I should be meeting my son for lunch, then going to see his boy up at bat! Joshua sighed,”It can take some time, for the spirit to accept the change. Your heart gave out in the shower this morn, I’m afraid you’ll miss your grandson’s game.” I turned and realized that I had not seen this Joshua before that ride, in fear I blurted,”Who are you man? And why do you talk as if I’ have died?” He just smiled, said,”You know who I am, I’ve carried you when your legs grew weak. And you know exactly where you are, it’s the place your soul always did seek. “You always did love those western tales, even though you knew they were fantasy. On Earth, perhaps, but I think you’ll find that here there is nothing beyond me. “All the questions spinning in your head will be answered, have no fear of this. This world that we’re in is your heaven, and we’ve eternity to enjoy it.” I knew at that point that I should speak up, but couldn’t find words to put to my friend, he just grinned, said,”There is no need to fear, you’re going to see all of them again.” And just like that the worry vanished, and the only thing that was on my mind were thoughts of that bath, whiskey, and a shave, so we rode on down to Centerline.