She lived for the times her heart would stop. They told her in the beginning that her condition was serious and could lead to permanent death, but she wasn’t scared. Having a best friend in death made her more afraid of life. In life she was fragile and weak, but when her heart failed all the weakness faded away and she became strong and alive. Every week she had her episodes that were regular but not predictable. It started with a headache the faded into her gasping for breath and heaviness in her chest. Then nothing. Then everything.

“How’s my favorite living doing?” They purred.

Julie smiled as the pressure eased and she found herself in darkness. She smiled. They said favorite, she thought.

“I would be better if I could just say with you!” She purred back. “How has the dying been?”

“The usual bore, but nothing truly spectacular.”

Death always savored the truly unique and dynamic of ceasing, as they called it. Julie just loved how the felt, intelligence mixed with cold that felt warm and smooth. Maybe it wasn’t them, just the being dead.

“I really enjoy our little visits, but don’t forget to live! The more you bring with you the more forever feels little Julie.” They were starting to sound sad so she knew her time was short.

“Do you ever feel love?” Julie assumed they didn’t.

“We feel love, but it’s different than living love. We feel the soul of a spirit and sense a piece of ourselves that we never knew was missing.”

The voice in the darkness hummed.

“We feel that with you. We get to feel you so frequently. Usually it is just one time and they move on. So you are special to us.”

Julie felt a pull and her sadness returned. She was back in the light. Alone. In pain. Ready for the next return to the space.