Heaven

(Based on a Twilight Zone Episode)

By Noelle Reyes

A recently deceased elderly man, dressed simply in overalls and a plaid shirt was slowly walking along a dusty dirt road. He was met by his best friend, Boomer, a rust-colored Great Dane., who came running to greet him.

“Boomer! I thought I’d never see you again. How have you been old boy? I’ve missed you bad! Life has been lonely since you left me.”

Boomer answered him with a thump, thump of his tail. He stood up on his hind legs to kiss his best friend to show him how much he missed him too.

“So what is this place, Boomer? Are we in heaven?”

Boomer ran a few spaces ahead, stopped to wait for his friend. When the man caught up, the two of them walked side by side on the country road. Soon enough they came to the pearly gate of heaven. The gate was ornately made from gold and real pearls. On top of a mansion was a flashing neon sign that said “Welcome to Heaven”. A robed man with a long white beard came to the gate to open it.

“Welcome! You have reached your final destination. This is Heaven.”

The man was overwhelmed with joy and proceeded to go through the gate with Boomer in tow.

“I’m sorry. Only humans are allowed in Heaven. Your dog must stay behind the gate.”

“Then I’m sorry too. You see Boomer is my best friend and he’s waited here for me for years. I’m not going to leave him behind now. If that is your rule, then I must stay behind too.”

The man and his dog continued back on the road. Not too long after, they came to a shack that looked very similar to the one they used to live in. The gate looked like it could use much repair as it was barely held up by straggly ropes. Another robed bearded man came to greet them.

“Welcome to Heaven. This is your final destination.” He opened the gates which screeched rustily.

“I thought the other place was Heaven?” The man walked through the gate with Boomer right beside him. “But we didn’t go in because the gatekeeper said Boomer is not welcome there.”

“Everyone is welcome in Heaven. Your love for Boomer saved you from eternal damnation. That was Hell pretending to be Heaven.”

As the man and Boomer walked past the shack, they saw a lush meadow full of people, animals and vibrant greenery. Life and tranquility was abundant. They knew they came to the right place.