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preposterous!”
    “Why is traveling back in the spirit less possible than having this conversation? No part of your physical body is engaged as you speak.”
    Zachri went on.
    “These episodes from your past may seem like a theatrical performance, but you will be playing yourself. Some of the characters in your life’s play are the original actors; others will be ‘stand-ins’ but you won’t be able to tell the difference.”
    “You see,” Zachri continued: “once humans have crossed over, their past, present and future are fused, creating one identity.
    They also become one with the whole heavenly community, taking their place in the completed puzzle. This ability is inexplicable to humans who see themselves as wholly separate individuals, never fully making contact with others; even those whom they love most dearly.”
    “What you’re saying is utterly confusing. How can individuals merge and still retain their individuality? I understand that each puzzle piece must be in its designated place to complete the image. But relating puzzles to what happens after we die is incongruous!”
    “The only way I can answer some of your questions is to use simple human objects to reveal what you cannot comprehend.”
    “Okay, Zachri, that was the easier question, and I’ll just accept your explanation. The more disturbing question is my second one. Why must we revisit events in my life?
    “ By the way, I don’t agree with you about never fully making contact with another person. Even though Janie and I haven’t been face-to-face all that often, we have become exceptionally close—‘soul mates’: a term I never appreciated until I met her.”
    “I told you some things cannot be fully understood by the earthbound. Answering your second question is simpler, although not easier. Mark, do you remember the biblical story of Job?”
    “ That’s f unny, I just thought of it and I haven’t read that chapter in many years. I used to attend an Episcopalian church, although I only did it to fulfill one of the obligations of my job. All senior bank officers were expected to do whatever it took to be perceived as upstanding members of the community.”
    With a sudden look of apprehension, Mark said:
    “What does this have to do with the question I just asked?
    Is that why you’re here? Tell me you’re not here to test my religious knowledge!”
    “No, that’s not it!” Zachri replied, smiling.
    “It’s just that many people have read the story and it’s as good a way as any of describing what is going on right now. Remember the part where the Lord says to Job: ‘brace yourself like a man: I will question you, and you shall answer me.’?”
    Mark nodded, a look of comprehension dawning on his face.
    “As you’ve admitted, Mark, you have been ignoring what you might call your ‘gut feelings’ these last few years. The time of reckoning has come. Your physical condition is much more serious than you have acknowledged to your son, to Janie or even to yourself. ”
     
     

9
A BARGAIN , A MEMORY AND A PROMISE
     
    Janine received an update from Martin on Mark’s status. It was, however, much less optimistic than the first:
     
    ‘There has not been any change in Dad's condition, he remains non-responsive to any kind of stimulus, and all that can be done is to wait and pray that he awakens. The               doctors and hospital here are as good as any in the world, and we know Dad is getting the best of care. All the tests confirm that he is experiencing a myxedemic coma resulting from his long-term thyroid gland problems and now magnified by the blood infection. Your prayers are appreciated, but I’m afraid we can only wait.’
     
    Janine tried very hard to believe that Mark would wake up at any moment and she would hear his voice on the other end of the line saying: “Hello Lover, I just took a little nap but now I’m wide awake, with you on my mind.”
    Though part of her mind was in torment,