Frank awoke from his dream; the details were so clear, with the song playing over in his head. The song was very familiar, almost as if it were one of his favorite songs of all time. Just one line kept playing over and over in his head, the line that played as he kissed her on the dance floor.

Maybe millions of people go by, but they all disappear from view"

He could still smell her on his skin, and taste her on his lips. He shook his head to clear it. This is very freaky, Frank thought to himself. I don't understand why I keep having this dream. I think I'm cracking up.

He had started recently wishing for a nightmare just to break the cycle that his current dream seemed to keep him in. As if to remind him, another line from the song popped into his head.

My love must be a kind of blind love"I can't see anyone but you?

He knew that song! Maybe he would ask someone at work in the morning. Hell, morning was already here. The clock on his nightstand read a glaring 5:45 AM.

He cursed under his breath. Another side affect of this dream was its affect on his waking hours. He found it difficult to concentrate on little else. It had gotten so bad that he would forget what he was saying in mid sentence. For anyone other than a teacher that would not be a big deal, he thought. His business was talking and business was getting very bad. Frank made it to his bathroom. He flicked up the light switch and with a very loud sizzle the florescent bulb gave its last breath.

But even as he thought that for the millionth time, it got harder to believe with each passing day. He knew without any rational reason that he was in love with her.

"I am cracking up," he said.

He reached into the closet and grabbed the spare tube. He walked into the kitchen for a chair so he could change the bulb. He was amazed that he had not stubbed any of his toes yet.

"One of the benefits of getting the shit scared out of you first thing in the morning," he muttered.

He purposely avoided looking into his bathroom mirror. It was dark but he could see well enough to change the florescent tube. He climbed onto the chair and began to unlatch the light cover. Frank grabbed the old burnt out tube and twisted. With a loud snap-pop the bulb shattered. The last thing he remembered was the sensation of falling.

As if Nathan was reading his mind he said, "Believe it. I just left the morgue. I made the ID myself. Frank is my cousin and all his family?"

"Yes, I remember," Jon, said. Frank Lane's parents were killed in a car accident last year, and about 6 months ago his only sibling, a younger sister, died of breast cancer. She was only 22. How can so much bad shit happen to one guy in so little time" If Frank had been a total asshole then no one would care. But Frank Lane was one of the most active individuals in the community that Jon had ever known. At 26, Frank was already a pillar of Mart. He was also one of the most sought after bachelors of the small town. At least until about 2 months ago, when Frank had first started to tell Jon about this crazy dream he had been having.

Jon was about to thank Nathan for coming to tell him personally, when a funny thought struck him. Again Nathan was reading his former Principles mind.

"I came to tell you in person and to ask you to come to the station with me to answer a few questions," Nathan said without emotion.

"What's going on Nathan?"

"Mr. Rooney, please come with me, sir."

What the hell was going on' Jon felt like yelling at this young man that he was just informed of the death of a good friend, and Nathan was looking at him like a damned suspect! Jon laughed nervously. Not a bright move, because Nathan's eyes narrowed slightly as he took another step closer to Jon. "Now I don't know what this is about, but I hope you don't think I had anything to do with Frank's death."

"Mr. Rooney," Nathan said with an even voice. "I just need to ask you a few routine questions, because I have reason to believe that you may know who is responsible for calling 911 this morning."

Now Jon was utterly confused. How the hell should he know who called 911 this morning. Something was not right here. What did it matter that they knew who called 911" "Okay, let's go Nathan. The sooner we get this out of the way, the sooner I can start grieving a friend," Jon turned to his Secretary. "Betty, not a word of this goes out. Call Mrs. Cassidy and have her sub for Frank's classes." Jon grabbed his suit jacket from the coat rack and gestured for Officer Tate to lead the way.

"911, how may I help you?" said the dispatcher. Jon listened intently. Was he hearing what he thought he was" He could swear there was music in the background. Then the voice that freaked Jon out spoke her first words.

"Hurry," the voice whispered, but the strange thing was the voice was not in a whisper, but in a normal spoken voice that was far away from the phone speaker. "He'll be with me soon if you do not come," the voice said.

"Ma"am, please tell me the nature of your problem," the dispatcher insisted.

"I want him to come to me, but not this way, its not his time," the voice said.

"Ma"am, you have to speak up," pleaded the dispatcher, "Please repeat your last statement." Jon had to hand it to the dispatcher'she was concerned but was staying cool. Now Jon leaned toward the speaker.

You are here and so am I"

It was music! Just as Jon was about to place the song, the soft voice said as if on cue with the words he just heard. "He is here with me now, but this is not the way, its not his time," the voice said, "Jon must take the time, or we may never have the chance. Please, Jon, take the time." The line went dead.

That same shutter went through Jon again. He was grasping at something familiar when Nathan put a hand on his shoulder. Jon did not mean to, but he flinched and felt his heart skip a few beats. "Jesus, Nathan," he exclaimed.

Nathan was looking at him as if waiting for Jon to come to some sort of realization. Jon was sure something was eating at him about the recording. Something so familiar, yet he could not put his finger on it, "It has to be the song," he said absently.

By that afternoon, Jon's world had turned almost completely upside down. He was sitting down to dinner with his wife when the phone rang. Jon thanked his lucky stars that he didn't have any food in his mouth at the time, because he would have promptly chocked on it.

"My God, Jonathan," exclaimed Linda, Jon's wife of 27 years. "It's like you're waiting for a ghost to jump out and scare you."

If she only knew, thought Jon. He had made it through the entire day without telling a soul about what happened today. He was very grateful no one asked. The whole town would know by tomorrow. The local paper, The Mart Herald, had a story prepared already about the mysterious death of Frank Lane. Jon was willing to bet most of the town was already talking about it.

"Hello," Jon spoke into the phone.

"Mr. Rooney, Nathan. I was wondering if you could come down to the coroner's right away?"

"Uh, sure," said Jon absently. "Is it something I need to know quickly?"

"Not really. Just need you to have a look at something."

"Can I finish supper first?"

"Sure, just eat fast if you could Mr. Rooney."

"Okay, I'll be there in 20 minutes." Jon hung up the phone. Linda asked him what was going on. Jon told her nothing, and they ate in silence. Linda did not know Frank Lane was dead yet, but Jon was certain that while he was gone, she would call her circle of friends and get all the details she wanted.

The room was smaller that Jon would have thought. It was roughly the size of a large bedroom. Large enough for only one table and all the instruments and machines needed to prepare bodies for an eternal rest underground. Standing next to the table was a portly man, probably in his early sixties. Jon did not recognize the man as the man smiled and extended his hand.

"Jacob Smith, County Coroner," he said.

"Jonathan Rooney," replied Jon, as he shook his hand. Cold and clammy, what a freaking clich", thought Jon.

Jacob took a step back and without warning threw back the sheet covering Frank Lane. At first Jon did not want to look at all. Then his head lowered and for the first time all day he was not surprised. Frank looked like Frank. Jon had been to many funerals and had never once seen a body look the way it did in life. Apart from the blue tinge of Frank's lips, it looked as though Frank would open his eyes at any moment and start talking. Frank still had a bit of color to him.

"The body is in amazing shape considering he's been dead for over 12 hours," remarked Jacob.

"He looks like he could get up at any moment," said Jon. Jon glanced down around Frank's neck. "So where is this locket you told me about," he asked over his shoulder to Nathan.

Nathan walked around the table where Frank lay, and retrieved a bag from one of the instrument tables used by Jacob.

"Um, if you two don't mind I'm starving," said Jacob as he excused himself.

Nathan opened the bag and dropped the necklace into his open hand. He breathed deeply and walked over to Jon. Jon was starting to put the sheet back over Franks face as Nathan walked over to stand next to him. As he drew the sheet over Frank's mouth, Jon suddenly heard a whisper. He started and dropped the sheet. "What," he asked of Nathan.

"I didn't say a word, Mr. Rooney," he replied. "Are you hearing something I'm not again?"

Jon shook his head and turned to Nathan and held out his hand to take the necklace. Nathan dropped the necklace into Jon's hand. As the gold locket touched his palm, Jon's world started to swim. He reached out for Nathan as the world went black"

"Oh God, Cat I never?"

Cat's hand flew to cover her mouth as she drew in a shocked breath. "Jon! You took the lords name in vain! You are sick. I think I'll have mom drive me to school. You're not acting like yourself."

If she only knew, thought Jon. She looked beautiful. More beautiful than he remembered his sister looking. Of course, what brother looks at his sister when he's 19 and thinks she's beautiful" Cat got free of his grip and walked out of his room. His room. Just as he remembered; James Dean posters and all his football trophies and his very messy room that his mother constantly"

Jon jumped out of bed and ran downstairs into the kitchen. That is when he started crying again. His mother, June Rooney, stood in front of the stove cooking as she did every morning for most of her life. Cat was standing next to her and said, "See, mom, look at his face. Not only is he crying, he looks crazy!"

June Rooney turned as Jon closed the distance separating them. He wrapped his arms around his mother.

"My goodness," she exclaimed. "What did I do to deserve that this morning?"

Jon sighed. He stepped back and took his mothers hand, "Mom, did you know that I always loved you, no matter what?"

June Rooney looked at her son and cocked her head to one side and said, "Of course, dear." She reached up and stroked some hair back from Jon's forehead. "A mother always feels the love of her children," she said as if that was an indisputable fact.

Jon felt light headed again. Come on old boy don't lose it this time, stay with it, he thought to himself. How is this real" He took a drink of water. Yep, it was water, and it was wet, and he was drinking it. It even tasted just like he remembered. Horrible Waco Public water system water, the foulest water you could drink and it not kill you. Damn it was good! Jon smiled. A second chance, he thought. If I'm dreaming, I'm going to enjoy it.

Enjoy it he did. At least the morning he enjoyed. He ate two helpings of eggs, bacon and toast. He listened to Cat prattle on about the Fall Formal dance and how she still did not have a date. It did not matter to her, she had said. She and her two best friends Beth and Mary were all going without dates. Being probably the three most beautiful girls in the entire school, Jon was not surprised; boys in this time are nowhere near as aggressive as they will be years from now.

He listened as Cat continued to complain that he was taking too much time to eat. As he ate, Cat showed their mother the shoes she would wear with her skirt. She worried if their color would match. Jon knew she would go through 3 more colors before she settled on the blue ones. Jon also knew that she would change her hair a few times before she was happy.

He drove his sister to Waco High School. Or rather the old Waco High School, which had be demolished in 1975. The school never looked better to Jon. Banners were everywhere proclaiming, "Fall Formal 1959?. Jon knew that he would be there to welcome the new class of seniors, as the senior class president of 1958. Jon also knew this would be the last night that he would see Cat alive.

"Mr. Rooney," said a strong voice. "Mr. Rooney," it repeated and was accompanied by a firm shake.

Jon opened his eyes and looked up at Nathan Tate. "Shit, I knew it was too good to be true."

"What," Nathan asked.

"I guess I was dreaming," replied Jon.

"Quick dream," Nathan said. "You were out for just a minute or two."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, probably closer to one minute than two," said Nathan.

"But I was there for at least 2 hours," said Jon. "I even ate there; I don't even feel hungry."

"Mr. Rooney," Nathan looked worried, "I think you might have hit you head before I caught you."

"Why do you say that," asked Jon. "I feel like I just ate a great meal."

"Uh, yeah you did," said Nathan, looking at Jon like he was looking at an insane man. "Remember you ate before you left your house. You made me wait while you finished supper. Like I said, you may have hit your head; I don't think so, but maybe."

Jon got to his feet. He was in the reception area; he had been on the couch. "Have that flask still, Nathan?" he asked.

"Sure," said Nathan as he handed the flask to Jon.

Jon drank the remaining contents of the flask and promptly began to cough and sputter.

"Are you sure this is the same locket, Mr. Rooney?"

Jon took the locket from Nathan, opened it, and took out the picture. Behind the picture there was an inscription that read, "I can't see anyone but you, Cat." Jon dropped the necklace and swayed on his feet. Nathan quickly stepped forward to grab him. Was that music Jon heard" You are here and so am I"

"Mr. Rooney," Nathan said his voice laced with concern. "What is it?"

"The inscription is wrong."

"Huh?"

"The inscription I had put in the locket was "Forever with you our Daughter and Sister?"

"I don't understand."

Maybe millions of people go by, but they all disappear from view. And I only have eyes for you.

That song! It was playing that night; it was the last song he heard the band play as he was told to hurry outside by Beth and Mary, and that something terrible had happened. "She was running after someone," Jon said. "Beth told me that she had dreamed of him and that he was real. Oh my God, Nathan. It's not possible."

"What are you talking about, Mr. Rooney," asked Nathan. "I don't know what you're talking about; you're not making any sense."

"I know,? said Jon simply as he bent down to grab the locket. He knew what he had to do. For once in his life, he was absolutely certain that love could conquer all.

His fingers again touched the gold locket, and his world went black once again.

"Uh, okay son," called Fred Rooney with a strange look on his face. June Rooney took Fred by the arm.

"He's been acting a bit strange today," said June Rooney with a smile on her face. "But I like it. I'll take those hugs and words every day of the week, and twice on Sundays."

Jon was pulling onto the street of the high school. One more corner, and then he would be in front of the Gym. 10 minutes left. He prayed he was not too late. He rounded the last corner and accelerated. Ahead he saw a parking space right in front of the sidewalk leading to the gym. Good, he thought, he would park there and"

Right in front of him darting out from between two parked cars was a girl. She was wearing a blue dress. What a strange thought to be having when you are about to accidentally hit someone. Brakes squealed then there was a loud thump as Jon ran over someone that used to be alive.

Just then realization hit Jon. "Oh my God! NO! NO! NO!" He screamed as he got out of the car and ran to Cat who would not live for very long.

Blood was everywhere and pooling incredibly fast around her limp body. He knelt beside her and cradled her head in his lap. Blood quickly soaked through his pants.

"Cat, I am so sorry," Jon sobbed. "I was going to get your locket and make everything right."

Cat looked up at Jon and said, "You took the time Jon, and you took the time to bring the locket back to me."

"But it was not supposed to be this way," Jon stammered, "I was?"

"Shhhh"Jon put the locket on me."

"But I don't understand I?"

"Please Jon, take the time to put it on me."

Jon slipped the locket around her neck. God there was so much blood. "Cat, hang on, oh God, please hang on."

"Jon, this was the way it had to be," Cat said. Jon held her tightly as she breathed her last breath. There was a flash, and then his world went black?

How do I know this" Easy. The body of Frank Lane disappeared a couple of nights ago right before my eyes, and the eyes of Nathan Tate. Who, by the way, claimed on his report that the body was cremated. I'm going along with that because no one would believe what else we saw.

The next day I signed the paperwork to have Cat's body exhumed. Nathan and I were not surprised to find that the coffin was empty. Why' The strangest thing happened this evening after dinner. Nathan called me to tell me to expect a phone call and then promptly hung up before I could ask who would call. Linda just happened to be at a friend's house when I received the call. On the other end was Frank Lane. He said simply, "Thank you, Jon, for taking the time. Cat wants to say something too." There was a brief silence then words that I'll remember always, "Love always finds a way.? Then the line went dead.

I did not get the chills; I did not the creeps; all I got was a smile plastered to my face and an easing of my soul. Now I have another bit of wisdom that I can pass on to all who know me. What is that pearl of wisdom' Easy. Never settle, and you will find true love. Cat knew this, and I'm sure Frank knew it too. And so, in the words of my baby sister: love, true love, always finds a way. I love you Cat.