Claire led Mandy up the curved stairway to the upper floor of the house. Mandy noticed that every detail in the construction of this house seemed to have been tended to by master craftsmen. Mentioning this, Claire replied, "These worlds are filled with artists and craftsmen of all sorts and those who wish carry on these talents in the afterlife. They finally have all the time necessary to create perfection", she added with a smile.
She led Mandy along a spacious hallway from which opened many doors. As Mandy peeked inside, Claire chattered away about their purpose.
"Most are rooms for contemplation because they're designed to be used by one person at a time. Some, like this one, are for people to socialize away from the crowd". She gestured toward a room so pretty it begged you to come inside...and Mandy did.
The walls were a soft, baby blue which served as background to what looked like a large, featherbed draped in a white cottony throw. Along one wall was beautiful cabinetry housing what appeared to be a stereo system. The wide planked wooden floor gleamed where the sunlight hit it. Mandy sounded a little taken aback as she queried, "Stereo system?".
Claire leaned on the doorway watching Mandy's inspection and replied playfully, "Music is food for the gods, don't you know?".
"Is that a bed?", Mandy asked curiously.
"I'm sure you're wondering if we continue to have sex after we pass over", giggled Claire. "Well, you need to know that in the afterlife we do what makes us happy and music and sex are all part of what pleases us".
Mandy thought this over carefully and then asked, "What about people whose idea of happiness is to hurt and demean?".
Claire took Mandy's hand in hers and said softly, "Those people will never come here. They will be reborn on earth over and over until they learn why they're there...it's a lesson that takes many rebirths for some".
"Are there people who never make it here at all?, Mandy asked worriedly.
Claire squeezed her hand and smiled, "No, Mandy. There are many circumstances that cause humans to go bad but, given enough chances, they always find their way home in time. Remember, we're gods".
