Thousands Elsewhere
One September evening, after “vacation research” turned into hours on YouTube, I saw an ad from God.
Summer was over, along with any illusion that I could afford a vacation.
Every day, I worked.
Every day, I came home exhausted.
I longed for a break, and overhearing customers talk about their summer gave me an idea.
A cruise!
I could work all the holidays and maybe take a week or two off. The new year isn’t a peak time for cruises. Maybe I can get a deal!
This research turned into a binge of its own. That’s when the ad popped up in flashing letters.
“See heaven! One day only!”
Without thinking, I clicked, and a voice said, “Start your normal walk, turn the not-normal way, and go to the end of the road.”
It was the last thing I remembered from that night, and I woke up assuming it was a dream.
I started my one day off that week with my normal day-off tradition—a walk to the park to clear my head.
After about a quarter mile, I entered the park and made for the walking path, but the ad flashed in my mind again.
I always turned right to start my circuit. I laughed at myself and turned left.
I admired the trees from this angle, and I was sure this walk would lead me on the exact same route as usual, just in reverse.
But to my surprise, the path joined a road and angled further left, away from the park.
I paused.
How have I never noticed this way before?
The ad flashed in my mind again.
“Start your normal walk, turn the not-normal way, and go to the end of the road.”
I laughed again. I knew I didn’t have any better plans for this day off. I said, “This is ridiculous. Might as well prove myself wrong.”
I don’t know how long I walked, but I continued to be surprised at all the nice houses I’d never seen before.
I passed one house, and a man stood outside, dressed up in suit and tie.
“Hello sir, how would you like this house?”
I stammered. “Uh, I can’t really afford a house right now.”
“How would you like to stay here for free? The owners are looking for a trustworthy house-sitter. You’d have the house all to yourself for two years, and they’ll pay you for the trouble.”
I looked at the two-story home—Freshly painted, a classy navy blue with white trim.
The realtor said, “There’s plenty of rooms. The kitchen is large. Pool and hot tub in the back!”
“This seems too good to be true…”
“Here’s my card,” he said. “You can think it over, but I need to hire the house-sitter by sundown.”
I walked away, not hearing any more of his words. Why not take it? I could quit my job, get paid…
Following the street around a bend, I jumped as I almost crashed into another man—this one with khaki cargo shorts, a flowery Hawaiian shirt, and sunglasses.
“Hey,” he screamed, “you look like you need a vacation!”
I scowled.
“I didn’t mean to offend. I’m giving away some vacation vouchers.”
I laughed. “How many scammers are on this road?”
He laughed too. “Not a scam, I promise! I’m a rep for a chain of Caribbean resorts. We need people to stay at each one, review the service, compare the perks of each. The voucher will get you into the program, and we’ll even pay you for your trouble!”
I remembered the ad again. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
“I promise, it’s all legitimate. I have the papers and everything. I just need to get this last spot filled by the end of the day.”
I walked up the street further. “I’ll think about it,” I called back.
The street wound up a hill, and I couldn’t see the top.
I stopped for a few minutes and rested, wishing I’d brought my water bottle.
As I waited, a businesswoman in high heels walked down the hill. She stopped, looked me in the eye, and offered me a job.
“We do quality control for airlines and hotels. We need people like you to work for us. You could travel all over the world, see any country you want, try any food you want, see all the sights, stay with the best accommodations. Here’s my card. You can start tonight, but I need your answer within the hour.”
I forced myself to walk away.
I didn’t think I’d actually find heaven, but all three offers were tempting. I figured the time it took for me to find the end of this road was all the time I needed to make my choice.
Finally cresting the hill, I saw it.
Just twenty yards ahead, the road ended with a golden door, set into giant marble white walls, stretching both directions. In front of the door stood an old woman in a white dress.
She said, “So you did see the advertisement, eh?”
“Is this… heaven?”
“One of the entrances. You’ll be given a tour of the celestial city. You won’t get to see the throne room, but you will be in His presence. All light comes from Him, you know.”
“I can only do this today?”
“Yes. You’ll be out of here at about midnight.”
“I see…”
“Think as long as you want, but that just cuts into your time inside. You won’t get to stay this time.”
I thought about the house. I thought about the Caribbean resorts. I even thought about joining the businesswoman’s company.
Somehow, deep down, I knew each of those offers were real, as was the one in front of me.
I also knew only one choice would be worth my time.
“I’m ready.”
“Right this way.”
I can’t explain what I saw inside. I know my circumstances hadn’t changed.
Even so, afterwards I knew my life had changed forever.
