Want to uncover the secrets of the afterlife and the interconnectedness of life stories? Interested in a poignant tale of love, sacrifice, and forgiveness? Join Eddie, a war veteran and maintenance man at Ruby Pier amusement park, as he navigates his journey in heaven, meeting five significant people from his past. Discover how Eddie's story, which begins with his end, reveals how every life affects another, creating a grand narrative of intertwined destinies.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

This is a story about Eddie, a maintenance man at Ruby Pier amusement park, and it begins with his end. Eddie dies in an accident at Freddy's Free Fall, a ride he was responsible for maintaining.

On the day of his death, Eddie, an 83-year-old war veteran with a limp and arthritis, goes about his usual routine at Ruby Pier. He checks the rides, greets regulars, and interacts with kids who adore him for his quiet demeanor and the pipe cleaner animals he makes for them. It’s his birthday, but Eddie has little to celebrate. He reflects on his life, his lost strength, and his late wife, Marguerite.

Eddie’s last day is marked by small moments: a chat with Dominguez, a young coworker excited about an upcoming trip to Mexico, and a brief interaction with a little girl named Amy or Annie, as he couldn't remember her name. She asks him to make her an animal.

As Eddie makes his rounds, a catastrophe unfolds. A cart on Freddy's Free Fall malfunctions and dangles precariously. Eddie springs into action, directing Dominguez to release the safety restraints and evacuate the passengers. Amidst the chaos, Eddie notices the little girl below the ride. Realizing the ride is about to fall, he rushes to save her. Just as the cart drops, Eddie reaches her, feeling her small hands in his own before everything goes dark.

Eddie's story is intertwined with others, like Nicky, a young man who unknowingly played a part in the accident by losing his car key, which jammed the ride’s pulley.

Eddie’s final moments are filled with a cacophony of sounds—waves, children’s screams, and the dreadful snap of the ride’s cable. His last conscious act is to save the little girl, a reflection of his life’s purpose: to protect others. In the end, Eddie’s life, like many stories, meets at corners with others, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives and actions.

A Reflection Of Life’s Purpose

Eddie saw nothing of his final moments on earth—no pier, no crowd, no shattered fiberglass cart. Unlike those stories where souls float above their bodies, Eddie wasn’t getting a second chance. As he floated through the sky to heaven shifting from pumpkin to turquoise to lime, he remembered lunging to save a little girl, feeling her small hands in his. He thought, "Did I save her?" He felt no agony, no sadness, only calm.

Eddie remembers when he was five, he was wearing a red cowboy hat and a toy holster, running around Ruby Pier, shouting “Bang, bang!” Mickey Shea, a jolly, fat man who worked with Eddie’s dad, lifted him upside down, giving him birthday bumps. Everyone laughed and cheered. His mother, with her deep red lipstick and soft cheeks, put his hat back on and held his hand, making the world feel right-side up again.

With this memory, Eddie woke up in a teacup from an old amusement ride. His body felt wonderful—no pain, no cane needed. He was at Ruby Pier, but it looked different—like it did in his childhood. He explored his newfound agility, running along the boardwalk, past old attractions, reveling in the sensation of running again.

He stopped when he heard a tinny voice, like from a megaphone, coming from a sideshow theater. The sign read, "The World's Most Curious Citizens." Eddie remembered the sideshow cast from his childhood—the oddities, the bearded lady, the sword swallowers. He felt sorry for them, but now, drawn by a voice, he entered the darkened hall. The voice grew louder, promising a tragic soul brought for examination. Eddie stepped further in, ready to see what awaited him.

Final Moments on Earth

Eddie found himself in front of a curtain at the World's Most Curious Citizens show, drawn by the a voice. When he pulled it aside, he was stunned. Sitting on the stage was a middle-aged man with blue skin. "Hello, Edward," the Blue Man said. Eddie was bewildered—why was he seeing this man from his childhood now? The Blue Man explained that Eddie felt like a child because that’s how he knew him.

The scene shifted to an old amusement park, Ruby Pier, now alive with the sounds of rides. The Blue Man revealed that they were in heaven, though Eddie found it hard to believe. This place, where Eddie had spent much of his life, was just the first step in heaven for him, but the second for the Blue Man.

Eddie had unknowingly caused the Blue Man's death. As a child, Eddie had chased a baseball into the street, causing the Blue Man to swerve his car and have a fatal heart attack. The Blue Man, who had been a sideshow attraction due to his blue skin caused by silver nitrate poisoning, had lived a lonely life but found some solace at Ruby Pier.

The Blue Man taught Eddie that no life is a waste and that all lives are connected. He shared that he had died because of Eddie, but Eddie lived, which was the balance of life and death. Just as Eddie had unknowingly taken the Blue Man's life, others had died so Eddie could live.

The Blue Man’s final lesson was that strangers are just family you have yet to know, and no act is random—we are all connected. As he said goodbye, his skin turned a beautiful shade of caramel, and Eddie was whisked away, leaving Eddie to ponder the interconnectedness of all lives.

Back at Ruby Pier, the scene shifted to a later time. Eddie’s maintenance co-worker Dominguez discovered Eddie had died saving a girl from a falling ride. The crowd was stunned, helpless, and the pier closed indefinitely, a somber reminder of Eddie's sacrifice.

In a flashback, Eddie was seen celebrating his 17th birthday with family and friends. His brother teased him about a girl he liked, sparking a playful fight. After the guests left, Eddie’s mother danced with him, a tender moment in a life he often felt was wasted but was filled with unseen connections.

As Eddie’s journey in heaven continued, he was left to meet more people who would help him understand the meaning of his life, each revealing the profound impact of his seemingly ordinary existence.

The First Person Eddie Meets in Heaven

Suddenly, Eddie found himself in a desolate, war-torn landscape. He felt stronger but less flexible, and instinctively moved like a soldier, crawling through mud and rain. Fear gripped him as he found a rifle with his own dog tags on it. He was in heaven, but still felt the terror of war.

Eddie had enlisted in the army, despite his mother's fears and his father's indifferent acceptance. He trained at Ruby Pier's shooting arcade, imagining the real enemies he'd face. War was supposed to be his path to manhood, but it took more than it gave.

Captured by enemy soldiers, Eddie and his fellow prisoners endured brutal conditions. They toiled in a coal mine, starved, and suffered. One day, Eddie used his juggling skills to distract the guards, leading to a daring escape. The prisoners overpowered the guards and burned the camp, but Eddie was haunted by the possibility of someone being trapped in the flames.

Eddie's leg injury during the escape changed his life forever. He never fully recovered and returned home feeling different. He was lost, and his life seemed pointless.

In heaven, Eddie met his commanding officer, the Captain. The Captain revealed that he shot Eddie to save him from running into the fire. Eddie's anger surged, but the Captain explained that sacrifices are part of life and should not be regretted. He had sacrificed himself to save Eddie and the others.

Eddie learned that sacrifices pass something on to others. The Captain's death and Eddie's injury were not in vain. The Captain had kept his promise of leaving no one behind.

Eddie realized the Captain had waited in heaven to teach him this lesson. As the landscape transformed into a paradise, Eddie asked about the girl he tried to save at Ruby Pier. The Captain couldn't answer but assured Eddie that someone else could.

As the Captain disappeared, Eddie was left with a photo of a woman that made his heart ache, and a promise of answers to come.

The Second Person Eddie Meets in Heaven

In a surreal twist, Eddie found himself in a mystical mountain range, ankle-deep in snow that glistened golden. He wandered to a diner, its sign blinking "EAT," and peered inside. He saw an elderly couple, wounded patrons from different decades, and finally, his father, oblivious to Eddie’s desperate cries.

Flashbacks reveal Eddie’s difficult childhood. At his 24th birthday in the V.A. hospital, his family, including his stern father, gathered around his bed. His father’s discipline and occasional pride left deep marks on Eddie. Even after the war, their relationship remained strained, culminating in a final confrontation where Eddie defended himself for the first time.

Eddie’s life was shaped by his father’s neglect, violence, and silence. Despite the harsh treatment, Eddie always sought his father's approval. Their fractured relationship followed Eddie into adulthood, influencing his career and emotional life.

In the afterlife, Eddie learns from an old woman named Ruby about his father's final moments and the true cause of his death. His father had saved a friend, Mickey Shea, from drowning, contracting pneumonia in the process, which ultimately led to his demise. This revelation helps Eddie understand his father’s complexities and the legacy of loyalty and sacrifice he left behind.

Ruby teaches Eddie the importance of forgiveness. She explains how holding onto anger harms oneself more than the person it’s directed at. Eddie realizes that his father’s actions, though hurtful, were driven by his own struggles and circumstances. Ruby’s lessons help Eddie begin to let go of his long-held resentments.

Eddie’s journey through the afterlife is filled with lessons about love, sacrifice, and forgiveness. Each encounter, from the Blue Man to the Captain, and now Ruby, brings him closer to understanding the interconnectedness of all lives and the importance of letting go of past grievances to find peace.

The Third Person Eddie Meets in Heaven

Eddie's funeral was a quiet affair. With no relatives and no instructions left behind, his body languished at the city morgue. Mr. Bullock, the park owner, eventually covered the expenses, using Eddie’s last paycheck. The service was held at a church near the pier to accommodate Eddie’s coworkers. Dominguez, wearing his best sport coat, was asked to share something about Eddie. After an awkward pause, he simply said, "Eddie really loved his wife."

In heaven, Eddie found himself in a small, nondescript room with a mirror that showed only a row of doors. As he ventured through each door, he found himself at various weddings around the world. The languages and customs differed, but the joy and hope were universal. Eddie felt like an outsider, just as he had at weddings on Earth, preferring to stay in the background due to his bad leg.

Then, amidst an Italian wedding, a bridesmaid offered him candy-covered almonds. Her voice and presence jolted Eddie; it was Marguerite, his late wife. She smiled and said, "For the bitter and the sweet." Eddie, overwhelmed, whispered her name and began to cry.

Their own wedding had been modest, held in a Chinese restaurant on Christmas Eve. Despite its simplicity, their love was deep and irreplaceable. Even after her death, Eddie’s memories of Marguerite remained vivid, sustaining him through his lonely years.

Eddie's birthday was a special memory. Marguerite had organized a surprise celebration with children at Ruby Pier. Despite their struggles with infertility and a failed adoption after Marguerite's accident, their love endured.

Marguerite's eventual illness and death left Eddie desolate. In heaven, she reassured him that their love had never died. "Lost love is still love," she said. "Memory becomes your partner. Life has to end; love doesn't."

Their reunion in heaven was filled with conversations about their life together. Marguerite explained she had waited for him, and Eddie realized how much he had missed her. She chose to spend eternity surrounded by weddings, a symbol of endless love and new beginnings.

In their final moments together, Eddie asked Marguerite to appear as she did at the end of her life, and they danced, cherishing their time together. As they held each other, Eddie expressed his desire to stay with her forever. When he opened his eyes, she was gone, but the memory of their love lingered.

Back on Earth, Dominguez and an estate attorney sorted through Eddie's belongings. They found a box containing simple mementos, including a Polaroid of Eddie at a birthday party surrounded by children, a poignant reminder of a life filled with quiet love and enduring memories.

The Fourth Person Eddie Meets in Heaven

Eddie, in a void of pure white, struggled with the silence and the loss of his wife. He had met four people in heaven and sensed this fifth encounter was different. His decaying body reflected his earthly end. He clenched his cane, prepared for the unknown. The haunting noises he heard turned out to be children playing in a river. He noticed a girl, Tala, on a boulder waving at him, inviting him in.

Eddie remembered his 51st birthday, his first without Marguerite. He spent his days revisiting old memories, working at the amusement park, and pushing through life without celebration. As the years passed, his routine stayed the same, and birthdays became reminders of his loss.

When Eddie met the little girl, Tala, in heaven, she revealed herself as someone he had unknowingly harmed during the war. Eddie was overwhelmed with guilt. He had burned her in a hut in the Philippines, a shadow that had haunted him. She asked him to wash her scars away, and as he did, she forgave him. She also told him he had saved a little girl at the pier by pushing her out of the way.

Eddie's final moments in heaven revealed his life's purpose. Surrounded by children he had kept safe through his mundane job at Ruby Pier, he felt a peace he had never known. Floating above the pier, he saw his wife Marguerite, waiting with open arms. 

The park at Ruby Pier reopened three days after Eddie's death. Life moved on, but Eddie's spirit remained, waiting to share the secret of heaven: that each life affects another, and the world is full of interconnected stories, all part of one grand narrative.

The Fifth Person Eddie Meets in Heaven

On his 83rd birthday, Eddie, a war veteran with a limp, dies in a tragic accident while trying to save a little girl from a malfunctioning ride. As he lunges to rescue her, he feels her small hands before everything goes dark.

Eddie's life at Ruby Pier was filled with routine and quiet acts of kindness, like making pipe cleaner animals for kids. His final day was marked by small yet significant interactions, such as a chat with Dominguez, a young coworker excited about a trip to Mexico, and a brief encounter with a little girl.

In the afterlife, Eddie's journey begins in a surreal version of Ruby Pier, where he meets the Blue Man, a sideshow attraction from his childhood. The Blue Man reveals that Eddie had unknowingly caused his death by chasing a baseball into the street. Through this encounter, Eddie learns that all lives are connected and that no act is random.

Eddie's next encounter is with his war captain, who explains the concept of sacrifice. The Captain had died saving Eddie and others during a daring escape from a POW camp. This revelation helps Eddie understand the significance of sacrifices made for others.

Next, in a mystical mountain range, Eddie meets Ruby, who reveals the truth about his father's death and teaches him the importance of forgiveness. Eddie learns that holding onto anger only harms oneself.

Eddie's reunion with his late wife, Marguerite, is a poignant moment in his journey. Despite their struggles with infertility and her eventual illness, their love endured. Marguerite reassures Eddie that "lost love is still love" and that life has to end, but love doesn't.

Eddie's final encounter is with Tala, a little girl he had unknowingly harmed during the war. She forgives him and reveals that he did save the girl at Ruby Pier. Surrounded by the spirits of children he had protected, Eddie finds peace and understands his life's purpose.

Back on Earth, the park reopens, but Eddie's spirit remains, waiting to share the secret of heaven: that every life affects another, creating a tapestry of interconnected stories.

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