The airplane droned on, flying high in the air, over the sea. Peter regretted the death of Carla, and leaving Jamila behind. But, it had to be done.
It is what it is, he thought with decisiveness. When I land at Puerto Rico, I’ll drive to the harbor where my boat is, and as soon as I’m out to sea, I’ll call the Drummonds and let them know where she is. No harm done. And then I can go on with my new life.
Smiling he dreamed about his prospects with all the money he had acquired. He imagined the prosperous bank he would start, and buying a large hacienda with servants, and maybe another Lamborghini.
I’ll be someone at last.
Looking at his watch, he realized he was about an hour out of San Juan.
Suddenly, the engine sputtered, caught and died. Frantically, with his heart beating like a piston, he strove to start the engine as he fell from the sky. The wind whistled past the falling aircraft, as dire fear gripped him, and he realized death was coming! He could feel it attempting to grab hold of him, trying to take his life. He screamed, “No… No… NO!”
Unexpectedly, the engine roared to life. Pulling on the stick, he pulled up for dear life. The plane’s nose rose, leveled and then started to climb again.
Beating hard, his heart was hammering in his chest. Tears of relief came to his eyes.
That was close, I could have lost everything!
Trembling, he looked at the instruments on the flight deck, they seemed normal.
As the plane droned on, he wondered what had happened.
Somberly he realized that if he had died, no one would mourn his passing.
He thought of his parents, his brothers and sisters, and the women who had loved him.
I don’t even have any friends, really. No one would grieve for me. There must be something wrong with that. Shouldn’t I be leaving some type of legacy behind me? Shouldn’t I have returned their love, when it was offered? I’ve nothing but my wealth to comfort me, now.
Oh well, I can always start again. I’ll do better this time. I’ll make time for family, and fun, though it’s going to take a lot of work to get the bank going. It’s such a wonderful opportunity to make money.
A loud bang exploded in his ears, then silence as the engine died for the last time. Black smoke swirled from the engine, as the air whined past the cockpit again, the plane plummeting to the sea below.
Peter hysterically tried to start the Cessna, but it was no use. His life was being demanded by God, a man so rich in the things of earth, and so poor in the things of God. Peter was about to meet Him, face to face, for an accounting of what he had done with the gifts that God had given him.
The man who had so much, but really had nothing, watched in dread as the sea reached up and took his life. The Cessna sank into the depths of the sea, while the darkness surrounded it, the cold entombed it, and the depths held it there… forever.
The Light