If it hadn’t been for my newfound freedom after death, I would never have known that Keith could serve tea, and show such patience and thoughtfulness.
He didn’t even wake up irritated when his sleep was interrupted.
My heart, already shattered, sank further into cold despair
Yet that night was destined to be anything but peaceful.
The burning hot air balloon crashed into a tree, starting a forest fire.
Firefighters sprang into action, and in the course of extinguishing the flames, they discovered my lifeless body.
The police promptly contacted my mother and Keith’s sister, Wanda Odell.
They had tried Keith first, but as he was immersed in his duties to Michelle, he kept his phone on silent.
Wanda accompanied my mother, fearing that she would not be able to withstand the shock.
No parent ever wants to live long enough to bury their child, and initially, my mother struggled to accept the truth.
It wasn’t until she recognized the necklace around my neck–custom–made for my birthday–that the reality hit her.
Witnessing my tragic fate, she trembled uncontrollably, her grief so overwhelming that she fainted.
Unable to reach her brother, Wanda wept inconsolably. “Astrid, if that scoundrel Keith is to blame, I will make him pay!”
If I were still alive, I would surely cast aside that damnable affection and keep my distance from Keith.
My body lay in the funeral home while the police began their investigation.
Wanda immediately took my mother to find Keith.
After searching around town for a while, they discovered him buying breakfast, and happily coaxing Michelle to
eat.
Seeing them so calm and unbothered infuriated my mother. She promptly walked up to them and overturned the
table.
“My daughter is dead, and you’re here playing house with this woman!” she yelled.
Michelle, frightened, hid behind him, while Keith mistakenly believed my mother was somehow egging me on.
“Mrs. Copperfield, could you please not team up with Astrid against me?
“She called for the rescue team for no reason, got me suspended, and lost me a month’s pay. Surely, there’s a limit to this!”
Enraged, Wanda stepped forward and slapped him. His face swelled up immediately.
Michelle was stunned as she watched the exchange.
