Bradley

"Come on in, Bradley," she said and pulled back through the door, pushing it open just a bit more. You feel compelled to do so, standing and expecting one or both of your knees to pop as they have for the last 20 years, but to your surprise, neither of them do. As a matter of fact they feel good, damn good!

You enter the office and see a large mahogany desk the matches the woodwork of this room and the room you were just in. You watch Amber sway her hips with her steps as she rounds the corner and then sits down. There is a comfortable-looking leather chair that sits directly across from the desk, and the cozy office is filled with but not cluttered by, dozens of knick knacks that look like a collection of random things that Amber has been working hard to maintain.

She sits down and that jubilant smile returns to her lips.

"Bradley, there's no easy way to put this, so let's just slip right into it. You're dead," she says and gives pause, letting the words wash over you. You're about to speak when she talks again.

"I know you're going to have a lot of questions," she says and leans forward, making it difficult to look her in the eyes. "Everyone does, and that's natural. I am a member and I am here to answer any questions you might have and to guide you along the next part of your existence."

"So, I'm dead," you say oh, the words dragging slowly from your lips as your mind tries to process what was just said. "And this is..." you start, not quite able to bring yourself to ask whether you're in heaven or hell.

"Don't think about it that way. The actions of your life have been judged and measured and counted. And after adding up all of the good things that you've done and all of the bad things that you've done, it is determined whether or not you go to a good place or," she says then pauses for effect. You swear you see her bite hey lower lip for a split second. You can't help but wonder what those lips would feel like on your...

"Or a bad place," she finishes, her voice more silky and husky at the same time. You swallow, and part of your brain wonders if she does, too.

"You're in the Good Place, Bradley," she says with a smile that makes your pulse rise, your heart skip, and your pants a size too small.