Carl Smith sat down and sketched in his fifth-grade art class while his teacher, Ms. Lopez, lectured.
“You’re doing wonderful, honey,” said his mother as she knelt right next to him. “Such a beautiful drawing.”
“Oh, thank you, Momma. I’m drawing this bird just for you. Your favorite.”
She smiled and gave it a closer look. “It’s lovely.”
“Carl Smith!” Ms. Lopez stopped her lecture. “Who are you talking to?”
“My momma.”
“Oh, Carl, you poor dear.” Ms. Lopez walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder. “Pack your things and come with me.”
————
The school principal, Mr. Jacobson, called Carl’s father, Dr. Mark Smith.
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“Dr. Smith. Please come pick up your son. You have my most sincere condolences. I believe the boy needs to speak to a grief counselor. He’s having hallucinations.”
“Oh, no! Mr. Jacobson, I’m very sorry about this. I’ll be right there.”
————
Mark spoke to Carl while they drove home.
“Carl, you only need to think your thoughts. Don’t speak them out loud. She can talk with you through your mind.”
“I’m sorry, Poppa. I forgot. I get so excited when she visits me.”
“I understand, son. Tell her how much you love her. And that she should only come to you when you’re alone. She’ll learn from you.”
“Okay, Poppa.”
————
Two weeks earlier ...
Dr. Mark Smith tended to his terminally ill wife, June, as she spoke to him softly.
“Mark, I’m afraid I’ll never see him grow up. Never advise him. Never show him all my love.”
“You will.” Mark placed a headset on June. “Concentrate and think about Carl with your every memory, every feeling, and all your love. Focus all of your thoughts on him in your mind.”
June passed away the next day.
————
Carl laid in his bed and sobbed into his pillow at the news of his mother’s passing.
Mark entered Carl’s bedroom while holding a glass of water then sat at the edge of the bed.
He opened his hand—“Carl, I need you to swallow this.”
“What is it?” Carl glanced up.
“It’ll make the hurt go away. You’ll see her again.”
Carl sat up, wiped the tears from his eyes, and swallowed the pill.