It's a Wonderful Death - Sarah J. Schmitt Page 0,60

grandmother, correct?”

“I am,” she says with a quick nod of the head. “Her father is my son.”

“And what was your role in the test set before her by the Tribunal.”

Grams looks briefly at me and then answers. “Death Himself mentioned that there might be need for someone to step in should Daniel’s timeline alter. Who better than her grandmother?”

I notice that Grams doesn’t mention she skipped out of Heaven to see me. I wonder if it matters.

Sal gives her a gentle smile. “And why would Daniel’s past be altered?”

“Well,” Grams says, her face expressing the annoyance she’s clearly starting to feel with the line of questioning, “the only reason he would be unable to fulfill his duties would be that he never died.”

Sal nods encouragingly. “And is that what happened when RJ went back?”

Grams smiles at me. “Yes. She connected with him and through a series of circumstances helped change his mind about committing suicide.”

“So, she saved him,” Sal surmises.

Grams looks thoughtful. “Yes, I believe she did.”

“Gladys,” Azbaugh says before Sal can ask another question, “were you privy to the scene RJ was being shown as part of her test?”

Grams nods. “I was able to observe from a distance. How else would I have been able to step in for Daniel?”

Azbaugh stares down his nose at her. “I would like some clarification on the setup. In the previous test, RJ saw the events directly leading up to the moment when she was transported into the scene. Did the same thing happen in this second test?”

Grams looks from Death Himself to me and back to Azbaugh. “No,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Azbaugh looks smug. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

I can’t believe he’s being so rude to Grams, and I’m about to say something, except she beats me to it. “Just because you are an angel does not give you the right to speak to me like that. I said no. You heard me. Everyone heard me. Now, what is your next question?”

I have to slap my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing at Azbaugh’s face. I don’t think he could be more surprised if Grams were to stand on the dais in a hula skirt and do a little dance.

“I, uh, I have just one more question.” He pauses and looks at her. If I didn’t know better, I would say he’s waiting for her to give him permission.

And then she does. “Please, ask away.”

I hear giggles in the back of the room and when I give a quick glance at the crowd behind me, I see I’m not the only one hiding a smile.

Madeline leans forward and whispers in my ear, “Your grandmother is so cool.”

I sit a little taller, pride giving me the lift I need. I can’t believe Grams is standing up to the angel like this.

Azbaugh clears his throat. “Could you please describe the scene that took place prior to RJ being transported into her test?”

“I believe,” Grams says slowly, “it was an event that took place a few days prior. RJ and her friends were tormenting Daniel, teasing him and suggesting that he wasn’t worthy of life.”

My smile fades. Even now, after all I’ve been through, her version of the situation is humiliating. How did I become such a mean person? Is there something in my nature that makes me like that or am I just weak?

Sal rushes to interject. “How did the two timelines differ?”

“Well, they were completely different. The later interaction between RJ and Daniel never occurred in the first timeline. When they did meet, I saw in her a willingness to not just take a stand for what is right, but more importantly, she was willing to stand up to her friends. I love my granddaughter, but she has been keenly aware of her social standing since she was a little girl and has sometimes made choices based on the need to be liked rather than the need to be right.”

“And do you think this is an example of how she has changed on a fundamental level?” Sal prods.

“I wasn’t sure at first,” Grams admits. “But then I had a chance to talk with her and I knew she was different. Talking to Daniel, getting to know him, was one thing, but when she came back, the look in her eyes told me all I needed to know. She was beginning to realize how her actions made others feel. When she came back, the first thing she did