James was a poor man in his mid-thirties, who was searching for God, and although he felt that he had years ahead of him with his fiancé, he had a feeling that his future was going to finally shift.
Something good was going to happen.
The train traveled vigorously like a soldier marching upon a battlefield. The year was 1909, and he was preparing to see his family.
He was worried about how they would react to the news of his recent engagement with his lover, Lilian Pond, the most controversial beauty of New York City.
After a late night conversation with his friend, William, he had climbed upon the train with nothing but a hundred dollars and the clothes on his back.
He had fallen asleep and woke up in the old train that was built almost a hundred years ago. Finally, the ancient machine came to a stop, reminding him of the appointment he had to make with his father and his sister, Daisy.
He sighed, stood up, and jumped out onto a greasy platform, and glanced around. Wealthy women dressed to the nines exited the train, all laughing together.
Men followed after their wives, letting go of brief cases, watches, rings, anything valuable. The women followed suit, dropping anything earthly onto the dirty ground.
James glanced to his right and left the train station with the occasional intrusive thoughts that dared to tug upon his mind… his thoughts raced into the horizon, till there was nothing left to worry about.
He walked down the street, observing the bright, shining street lights.
James observed the people surrounding him. Everyone was smiling and laughing. Not a single face was stoic nor sad.
He realized the anxiety he had felt with telling his father about his recent engagement faded. In fact, he felt ecstatic to be in the town. His memories began to fade, and all anxieties disappeared.
“Good afternoon sir.” Spoke a young man in his early twenties.
James gave a simple nod as a greeting.
He had never met so many happy people in one area, and all of them were so young.
“Excuse me,” James turned towards the young man that had almost passed him by, “where are we?”
“Do you not know? This is the town of Ecstasy.”
“Ecstasy?”
“You’ve never heard, have you?” He asked.
“No, I haven’t.”
“The town of Ecstasy is the happiest place in the universe. I’m surprised you’ve never heard of it.” He continued to smile.
“The happiest place?” James paused for a moment, he couldn’t recall seeing the town on his map, “I’m trying to get to Connecticut… you see, my family lives there.”
“Your family?”
“Yes. My father lives there.”
“Oh no, your father lives on Earth.”
James frowned, “This is Earth?”
Before James could look at the man, he had disappeared. James simply shrugged and walked along the path while in a euphoric state.
While walking he noticed a bright hotel with golden columns. He entered, his eyes wandering in amazement.
“Excuse me sir, are you lost?” A faint little voice spoke to him from behind.
He spun around and saw a little girl. She had long brown hair, neatly tied into two braids and a green frock. She was at the innocent age of twelve, and her eyes sparkled like the stars in the sky.
“Well, I’m not sure if I’m lost.”
“Where do you intend to go?” She asked sweetly.
“Well, I need to get to Connecticut.”
“Connecticut?” She frowned.
“Yes. It’s a place near New York City.”
The girl continued to look dazed.
James was surprised when he didn’t feel frustrated at the little girl, but instead laughed, “Never mind. Where is your family, child?”
“This whole town is my family. The men here are my brothers and the women are my sisters. We all belong here.”
“That’s very nice, but what about your father?”
“He’s everywhere.”
James chuckled, “What do you mean?”
“He is everywhere and somewhere at the same time.”
“Well, that’s very interesting. I need to go home.”
“James, this is your home.” The little girl gently grabbed his hand, “You belong here.”
He looked down at her, her innocent eyes beamed with much joy and gladness.
“What do you mean? How do you know my name? Aren’t we near New York?”
“You’re not on Earth anymore. I know your name because you are my brother, and I am your sister.”
“If this isn’t Earth what is this place?”
“This is Heaven. James, you died on a train accident. But don’t be sad, you belong here.”
James paused and looked around until it finally occurred to him.
He was home.
He was free.
