Running Out of Choices

Your choice my committee said. But not human, Bo added. Bo is the head, and the most eager spiritual guide to get me to level yes. Bo can get re-assigned when I hit mastery. When he first undertook project me he said we have all the time in the world. Ha! If you think heaven is complicated, wait until you have to choose your re-assignment. Re-entry? No problem. Family choosing, another story. Why not human? I asked Bo. You have mastered the human level, he reminded me. The others threw back their heads and laughed. They did not think so, but Bo is incredibly persuasive, and he persuaded them that I had. They knew they had been half-duped, but they liked Bo and me, and they wanted to move on. There are only six levels to master after human, Bo reminded me. But you get to decide Your own order. You have fifteen minutes to decide. Apparently the committee had another recruit arriving soon. I choose dog, I told them. Dog sometimes does not last past puppy, Angel Six reminded me. Angel Seven gave him a squelching look which is rare in heaven. My only other choices were bunny, cat, deer, eagle, and dolphin. Bunnies are often coyote food; I am haughty enough already, so cat was out. I despise the idea of spreading lime disease, so not deer. Flying appeals to me, but I do not feel mature enough to handle a beak yet. Crumb! I meant to say dolphin. I turned to see if I could change it, but they had dissipated. With any luck this reincarnation will not last half as long as the last one where I lived to be ninety-two.