May Challenge - "She answered a phone call from her own number."

Lizbeth a sweet 84 yr. old frail white haired woman who has difficulty walking, needing a walker for support She was required to have a double hip replacement surgery a month ago and is slowly healing. Lizbeth hears her phone ringing. She carefully walks into her living room to answer the phone which she noticed had the same home number on her caller ID. Hello, hello who is this? no answer just faint sighs and lots of static. Lizbeth didn't think much of it and hung up the phone. She lives alone in a condo that her husband bought in Sarasota Florida. Ernest and Lizbeth met in Atlantic city. They both were sitting next to each other playing slots. Having long conversations, Ernest called Lisbeth, Lizzy for short. They enjoyed walking and holding hands on the boardwalk, playing games which Ernest won Lizbeth a stuffed cat from shooting targets with a water gun. They also loved just sitting on the bench and taking in the views of the ocean waves. Enjoying their ice-cream cones on a hot summer day. Ernest always got the vanilla bean and Lizbeth always got rocky road ice cream. That was their favorite past time. After seeing each other almost every day they decided to get married after 3 months. They were married in a small ceremony on the beach. They found they could not live without each other. They were inseparable, two halves of a whole. Two peas in a pod. They bought their forever home in Sarasota Florida. Her husband Ernest of 55 yrs of marriage had just passed away 2 months ago due to a severe stroke. Lizbeth was saddened and very depressed, overwhelming emotions of emptiness and despair. She would think about the good times when they were together. Her favorite memories would be of holding hands while walking the sandy beach watching the clear blue water hit the shore. They were the best of friends for life. Lizbeth has a cat named Kitty that keeps her company. Kitty was a birthday gift from her beloved Ernest. She is a beautiful white and silver Maine Coon cat that's always by her side. Lizbeth still longs for Ernest. Having Kitty reminds her of her beloved. A visiting nurse comes to her home every month to monitor her health. Another nurse comes frequently to make a wellness check. Alma is her wellness nurse they get along nicely. Alma keeps Lizbeth company when she has time on her hands. She fixes Lizbeth a light lunch. They play cards, have tea and speak about current events. Alma stays about 2 hours that day which makes Lizbeth contented. Later that day Lizbeth knits a tan and white shawl and looks out her window at her bird feeder to see all the wonderful varieties of birds that frequent her feeder. Along with the squirrels and rabbits that come to eat the seed that the birds drop. Watching the views outside occasionally makes her mind more at ease. Lizbeth is a lonely old soul now. Most of the days Ernest is always on her mind. The intense grieving never ends for Lizbeth. She lost the love of her life, her other half, her sweetheart, her everything. She longs for Ernest every day. He was her best friend for 55 yrs. Memories and pictures are all she has now. Putting her hands up against her face for comfort grabbing a tissue to wipe away the tears running down to her chin. She hears her phone ringing in the living room, she notices her caller ID is ringing from her home number again. How odd this is, states Lizbeth. She picks up the phone Hello, hello who is calling? Silence for a couple of minutes, sighs then crackling noises with lots of static, a faint voice is heard. Lizzy is that you? I am no longer in pain. Yes, Lizbeth answers, stammers um, um, um. You sound like my Ernest. He always calls me Lizzy. My beloved Ernest, I miss you so much, my heart aches for you, I long to be with you, I am so lonely. she hears faint sighs, crackling noises and low whispers. I am here for you Lizzy, I will always love you, sighs, low crackling noises, static fills the phone then the phone call ends. Lizbeth can't believe what has just happened to her, is my Ernest back in my life? My broken heart has been partially mended as to hear his voice again which comforts her. She cries tears of happiness and sorrow. Lizbeth lays down on Ernests side of the bed, Kitty jumps up to her side and begins to purr loudly. Lizbeth puts her head on his pillow. Ernest scent is still on his pillow. She breathes deeply and smiles, tears streamed down her face to the land on the pillow. Memories are flooding her mind. Sobbing herself to sleep. She falls asleep dreaming of her life with Ernest. So vivid as having an out of body experience. Sensing my loved one so close by. She smells his scent as he is right next to her, they are in a place of beauty. A place filled with love and affection calming their hearts and minds to uplift their spirit's and finding peace within their souls to be combined as one once again. So beautiful and enlightening. As being in a garden filled with a variety of colors, textures just so visually stunning and meaningful. Never wanting to leave Ernest or this beautiful place behind. Lizbeth awakens with a sense of awe. She whispers my beloved Ernest, I need you so, just to hug me and be by my side, to hold my hand once again. She sits up and sees a mist at the foot of the bed in the form of a human then it slowly disappears. Lizbeth yells My Ernest, my Ernest come back to me. Lizbeth turns and sees her pillow is compressed as if someone was lying next to her. Lizbeth gets out of bed to make a cup of hot tea with honey and lemon. She sits by her window to watch the birds. Kitty jumps on her lap. Lizbeth thinking about her wonderful dream and the mist at the foot of her bed. Stroking Kitty gently as Kitty purrs loudly. Our Ernest visited me in my dream last night she tells Kitty I felt his presence I know deep within my heart that mist was my Ernest. Kitty looks up at Lizbeth and meows. Lizbeth hoping the phone would ring. She waits impatiently all day. That night at 8 pm the phone rings once again with her home number showing on the caller ID. Her heart pounding, her hands shaking with excitement. Strong emotions throughout her body. This must be my Ernest. She picks up the phone hoping to hear her sweet Ernests voice. Hello, hello, Ernest, can you hear me? Cracking low sounds, loud static comes from the phone that hurt Lisbeth's ear. She had to put the phone down for a second. She picks up the phone, gently puts it to her ear then a faint whisper Yes, I can hear you Lizzy, we will be together soon once again. I will always love you. Sighs then crackling and silence. His faint voice disappears Ernest, Ernest don't go Lizbeth cried. I need to hear your comforting voice. The phone was still silent. That night thinking of Ernest hoping to dream about him again. Sobbing herself to sleep that night hugging Ernests pillow. Having memories of the way things used to be. She hears a whisper in her ear I love you Lizzy. I will always be beside you. Lizbeth turns to see the same mist fading away in the morning sun light. Ernest calls and visits his love Lizzy every night. Till one day Lizbeth did not awaken from her sleep with Kitty snuggled up close by her side. That day Alma her wellness checkup nurse was scheduled to arrive. Alma found a lifeless Lizbeth with a peaceful expression upon her face. Alma uttered a deep sigh, her voice choked up with emotion Lizbeth was such a lovely woman, she is at peace now. Alma would be Kitties caretaker as stated in Lizbeth's will. She is now with her Ernest in a Heavenly realm an eternal bliss filled with love, unending happiness, beauty and joy. They look into each other's eyes everyday with affection and compassion as they did before. Their hearts beating as one. Our everlasting love and devotion is a bond that extends into the afterlife. There is no place I would rather be than in your arms. They will be holding hands together for eternity.