ONE FLASH FICTION

Reunion at the Rainbow Bridge

 Blaze strode to the bridge with a swagger, his bushy tail flowing like a king’s robe. He wore a well-fitted red jacket with shiny gold buttons and, approaching, meowed to Daisy.

She barked her greeting and pranced about the Rainbow Bridge, her head held high.

Blaze nuzzled in beside Daisy and turned to see Jake, his hard-shelled friend, shuffling toward them. Nearby, many animals stirred, eager to reunite with their beloved Big Ones. 

“Listen,” Blaze said as a trumpet sounded. Animals stretched their necks to see the gleaming gates of heaven open and a crowd of newcomers entering. Most of them had white hair and stooped shoulders. They shuffled forward, feet dragging. 

“There he is!” Daisy barked out her excitement. “Honeybun, over here!”

“Hold on, Daisy,” Blaze purred.

The animals watched recognition light up the Big One’s eyes as the Lord’s presence shone across them. Millions of angels stood close to God, singing His praises, the sound of perfectly tuned instruments streaming from within their chests. Blaze shook his head in amazement. He knew angels could sing beautifully, but he was still puzzled about how the sound of the instruments flowed from their mouths too. It didn’t matter, though. He accepted it as another of the Master’s miracles.   

The animals watched, and in the blink of an eye, the Master took away the Big One’s pain and suffering and transformed their bodies. Now healthy and strong, their minds fresh and alert, the people dropped to the streets of gold, heads bowed, and praised God.   

I want to go to Honeybun, Daisy whined. “May I?”

“Not yet,” Blaze said. Let them spend time with the Master and meet their waiting families.” He watched, head stretched forward, ears perked. The Big Ones sang out their praises of the Master and moved to embrace Him. Blaze spotted Mama, his Big One, on her knees, crawling to God. She kissed His nail-scarred hands. Standing, she tumbled into His arms. The sight of Mama’s saintly smile and the joy in her eyes made Blaze purr. Behind Mama, excited whispers buzzed. Smiles stretched across the faces of those waiting for the Grand Reunion.

With a questioning look, Jake stretched his neck to see over the crowd and find Jen Jen. “You know she rescued me from the middle of the road. I got careless in my old age, and when her mother slammed on the brakes to keep from hitting me, Jen Jen begged her mother to bring me home, save me from the rolling trampling machines that passed through without warning.”

“I remember that story,” Daisy barked and thumped her tail on the golden street. 

“I didn’t live long after that. And now I see Jen Jen didn’t either.  She was sick with what the Big Ones called leukemia; I remember her easing from her bed every day, bites of cut-up bell pepper, cabbage, or apples for me in her tiny outstretched hand.”

A goat standing in the back and peering over the crowd said, “Is that her?” Several hamsters scurried about, chattering, eager to get a look. Two parakeets sitting on a perch described the child.   

That’s her! Jake said and started toward the crowd.

The animals watched the Big Ones rush to reunite with those already there. Wives fell into their husband’s open arms, and parents, children, and babies rushed forward and melted into their beloved’s arms.  Friends greeted one another, the long separation now behind them.

Daisy jumped to her feet and turned round and round, her tail wagging with delight. She rushed forward to greet Honeybun, who had taken her for rides in his truck, on walks through the neighborhood and offered her biscuits from a red box that made a delightful sound when he shook it. She paused a few feet away and sat waiting, obedient to his direction.

“Come on, Daisy,” he said and opened wide his arms. She ran full speed, sprang forward, and licked his face as he laughed and hugged her.     

Mama glanced up and spotted Blaze in his red jacket. Recognition lit up her face. Before she could reach him, he raced toward her, his short legs moving fast. She scooped him up and cuddled him in her arms, the sound of his purring combining with the music around them.

By now, Jake had made it to an opening and spotted Jen Jen. She stood very still, taking in the splendor of heaven; her eyes shone brightly, all traces of the dark circles under them gone. She leaped into the air as any vibrant six-year-old might, turned in circles, and ran to Jake. Dropping to her knees, she rubbed noses with him and pulled him into her lap.  

The Master stepped forward and held open His arms. “Come, everyone, people and animals alike—no need to wait another moment. Tomorrow and for millions of days to come, there will be Great Reunions, but today is your turn.

Oinking and baaing, quaking and clucking, and so many other welcome home calls could be heard as the animals hurried from the Rainbow Bridge to reunite with their Big Ones. And what a day of rejoicing it was.