Inspiration:

The Egyptians have a very wise saying about where people go after they die.

"When their souls
got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked
two questions. Their answers determined whether
they were able to enter or not. 'Have you found
joy in your life?' 'Has your life brought joy to
others?'"

Title: Memory Lane
Rating: PG?
Words: I'm too lazy to count. There is no word counter on Notes so I'm kinda being a A+ procrastinater here

I had given them the news that they always feared. It was a rainy day in Seattle and I was returning home after visiting my parents. I had told them that I had lost my job. They stayed at a old-age home since I didn't have enough money to take care of them.

I crossed the street to my apartment-a one-rokomed, cold, and miserable place with rats that I called home. The door creaked as I closed it. I looked at the picture of me and my wife, Sally-at least, she used to be my wife. She had died, or at least that's what people said. I still think that she is somewhere in that factory where she died, maybe still breathing, but left alone.

Her hair was sandy in the picture, and her eyes were shinning from the gleam of the flash. We were both smiling-something I rarely did after she left. I sat down on my bed and sighed. Maybe I should do it today.

After having that fight with my father, my choices had narrowed down. "You're a worthless scum of a son. You disgust me!" My fathers words played back like a cat scratching on a black board. We were having the same conversation about me dropping out of college. The words that really effected me. I pondered on my life. Memories began to come back like the returning tide.

'Why are you still living?' Screamed my brain. My english teacher was right: our own thoughts were the real monsters. As we age, they age, and if we grow to be happy, happy thoughts empower; if we're sad however, they become vicious little creatures. They eat us up with their negativity.

'But why should I still live?' I questioned. I grabbed my pills. My own death was on the power of these little pills. They might be little, but they can kill. I put them in my mouth, gulped a mouthful of water and was now devoured by darkness.

Everything had ended.

"Have you found joy in you life, Mr. Elliot Trey?" I would've opened my eyes-if I had any. I was a floating gas, not there entirely, but a little bit. It was, hope, it was another chance, but most importantly: it was indescribable.

There was no one there. I had no idea who had spoken. "Who's there?" I questioned. Silence.

"Have you found joy in your life, Mr. Elliot Trey?" The deep voice said again.

I pondered on the question. Well, have I? I mean, Sally was the one that I found joy in. She was everything to me. But now, no matter how hard I tried, I can't think back to my life before Sally came in. It was all very strange. Then agin, I did find joy in helping my parents, sending them where I knew they would be taken care of.

"I think so," I answered shakily.

"Has your life brought joy to others?" Again, I found myself pondering.

I did help that homeless kid by giving him my leftover sandwich...That time I helped that little girl get on the swing? The time I showed my mom how to use the Internet?

But those were little acts of kindness. I didn't really change their lives...

"N-no. Little acts of care and kindness don't really count. Right?" Silence.

"Did the people you helped feel happy or appreciative toward the actions you did?" The questions were getting very annoying.

"I dunno. I can't read minds can I? Look 'oh mysterious voice,' can't I just get over with this? I died for a reason-Sally. Can you just transfer me to heaven or whatever?"

"It is not as easy as you think. You are not satisfied? Are you sure?"

"I-I really...yes. I think I am satisfied. I did bring little to no joy to these people's lives, but I did help them. I did bring joy to them. At least a little joy."

"Wise choice." And as my surroundings got brighter, an angel came. She was the most beautiful woman my eyes ever saw-my wife.

And that is how I died.