[ WP ] You wake up in a white room at a white desk facing a man who claims you are dead . You are in purgatory . You can get the answers to as many questions as you can ask in one minute .

`` Soooo.....I'm Dead?'' 
 `` If that was a question I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to follow the rules David.'' The man on the other side of the table points to the chess clock. Currently, my side of the timer was running and his was at 0. 
 
 I firmly press the button. `` How can you prove I'm dead?'' 
 
 As soon as the question is out of my mouth the Man presses his button, stopping his clock at 1.5 seconds. `` Proving it is very difficult in the given scenario. But you remember driving down the road, knowing the snow made things difficult. You had n't checked the air in your tires for weeks even though the indicator light was on. You were speeding, which you knew was n't safe but you were worried. You took the curve just-a-bit too fast. You remember a strange metal tearing sound, an explosion of pain and then....'' The Man just motions to the room. 
 
 I process what he says as my memory kicks in. `` Okay....I remember all of that. And hearing you say it, it makes sense.'' I let out a woof of air to come to terms. And then I realize I'm still breathing. `` Why am I-'' The Man holds up a hand to cut me off and points at the button. *press* `` Why am I still breathing?'' 
 
 *press* `` Because you still feel like you should mostly. You can stop at anytime but it takes most people a while to actually do so.'' 
 
 `` Okay, that makes sense.'' I start thinking of questions to ask and realize the most important one needed to come first. *press* `` Will my sister be okay?'' 
 
 *press* It's the Mans turn to sigh. `` Yes and no. As for tonight a friend is going to get her out of there before she's taken advantage of. Right after she finds out about your death, it's gets a bit rough as she blames herself. BUT that guilt causes her to really turn her life around and she ends up a pretty great human being.'' 
 
 `` So I did the right thing?'' 
 
 `` Technically a question but I'm giving you that one for free. There is no RIGHT thing. You did what you did.'' 
 
 `` That's kind of a crappy answer.'' 
 
 `` That's why I'm not counting it against you.'' 
 
 I shrug and nod. `` You're being pretty fair about this. Thank you.'' 
 
 The Man smiles `` It is very rare for people to thank me. And I DO try to be fair. Thanks.'' 
 
 *press* `` Are you also dead?'' 
 
 *press* `` Not technically. I'm an angel.'' 
 
 That sort of surprises me. He just seems so....normal. `` You're really down to earth for an angel.'' 
 
 He chuckles. `` Nice pun. I actually spend a huge chunk of my time interacting with humanity. It's not the norm with angels, but it's much more common than you might think.'' 
 
 I'm silent for a bit. *press* `` What happened to my dad?'' 
 
 *press* `` Biological or step?'' 
 
 `` Uhhhh both?'' 
 
 `` One per question on that.'' 
 
 I knew the real answer as soon as he'd asked the question. `` Step. What happened to Gary?'' 
 
 The Man nods. `` It WAS a cover up. He was going to blow the whistle on the company and his manager....well, you more or less have the right of it. I....I can go into detail if you want.'' 
 
 I shake my head. `` No, that's enough of that particular truth.'' *press* `` Biological?'' 
 
 *press* `` Better than you'd think. He was drunk, as usual. He got kicked out of the bar. As usual. But he saw a young girl being....sexually assaulted. He got involved to help her. She got away because of him. But the two men....'' The Man trails off, which pretty much gave me my answer. 
 
 `` That... that is better than I thought.'' *press* `` Will mom be okay?'' 
 
 *press* `` She'll be focused on your sister for the hardest portion, afraid she'll get worse in the wake of your death. When she gets better, they start to become closer than ever before. Your mom never remarries after Gary, but she does well.'' 
 
 I smile at that. Moms been through a lot. I wished there was..... *press* `` Is there anything I can do for my mom and my sister now?'' 
 
 *press* `` Now? No. But there might be after you're done here.'' 
 
 Eager as that raises a bunch more questions. *press* `` What's after here?'' 
 
 *press* `` The afterlife.'' 
 
 I groan at the answer. `` That answer sucked!'' 
 
 `` Kind of a bad question. Ask what you REALLY want to know.'' 
 
 I realize he's right. There was another question that seemed in this scenario pretty pertinent. *press* `` Am I going to heaven?'' 
 
 *press* `` I think so.'' I'm about to shout when the Man holds up his hand to stop me. `` They do n't ever tell me. It can make this meetings awkward. But I've learned to get a pretty good feel for people. You died going to protect your sister. I do n't know for sure, but I'd be very surprised if not.'' 
 
 That settled my nerves. And answered a few other questions. 
 
 *press* `` Assuming I goto Heaven, are there things I can do there to help my mom and sister?'' 
 
 *press* `` Yes. Guardian angels are ALWAYS souls that have passed on to heaven. You can guide and nudge. Ultimately, their fate will be up to them, but you'd be surprised how much just a nudge here or there can accomplish.'' 
 ****Running out of steam for tonight. Might do more later**** 

