Word for Word

Maureen, 42, is surprised that her late grandmother kept a postcard she and her family sent her nearly thirty years ago while on vacation. As she is reading the message written on it, the faded-ink words drop off the card and into a pile (like spaghetti strands) on the table. A little bit later, the pile bubbles. Full words and single letters crawl out and, like inchworms, make their way to the now-blank space on the postcard. They form a new message: “I’m coming for you.” Maureen is frightened. Surely, this threatening message can’t be from Grandma. She falls asleep at the table and is awakened by a tap on the shoulder. Grandma! The senior lady apologizes if she frightened her favorite granddaughter. In sending her message, she was limited to using the words and letters that were previously written on the postcard. She did the best she could. She holds out a hand to Maureen, who happily takes it. Grandma says it’s time to go to Heaven. She was sent as a guide. She shows Maureen her dead body still at the table. Maureen experienced no pain in passing, which is for the best. Grandma is anxious to introduce her granddaughter to many wonderful souls and have her see many fantastic things. Maureen is anxious about the journey. Still holding hands, Grandma promises to always be with her.