The Next Person You Meet in Heaven

In the next heaven, Annie finds herself emerging from the depths of the water at the bottom of the waterfall. She comes out onto a beach wearing the same clothing she had on the day of the accident at Ruby Pier. The pier and amusement park appear before her, along with a stone marker for Eddie, the man who saved her life and sacrificed his own. Moments later, Eddie himself appears.

At age 25, Annie has become a nurse and is working with patients. She finds the position a natural fit, as she enjoys feeling needed and providing compassion to those whom she cares for. Annie makes friends with a coworker and confesses that she was in an accident that continues to haunt her. She cannot remember what happened but knows that someone was killed in the process. Annie’s friend encourages her to talk to a therapist, but Annie worries about what may be uncovered if she does.

Eddie is a short and stout old man with an edge to his personality and speech, but also an approachable friendliness. In meeting Annie, he laments how young she is to have died, and Annie explains what happened to her and