Sandy and Richard had been lovers from the first time they met. They started dating in Highschool and remained just as close as ever all the way through college. When Richard proposed, he was absolutely terrified, even though he had no reason to be. No matter, because when Sandy saw him kneeling on one knee, everything felt like it shifted into place. The two could not wait to start their lives together.
In the beginning
When they first married, everything seemed like it would just magically work out. They graduated from college and moved into a house together. They were renting at first, but Richard soon got a great job. He may have worked long hours, but they were finally able to afford their dream home. The search took some time, but that is just because they are perfectionist people who make sure they are not getting into a deal that they might regret.
One day, they were driving through a suburb they both liked, and Sandy suddenly had a weird feeling. She asked Richard to turn right at the next stop, and he did. They drove down the road until they reached this beautiful house with a hedge growing around the outside. There were rose bushes reading all the way up the path towards the front door, and the windows were large enough that they surely let a lot of light in during the day.
Sandy looked at Richard with a gleam in her eye. He only saw that look when she knew something he didn’t. He asked her what she was thinking, and she said, “Goodbye, old home, and hello new one.” Richard smiled, he realized there was a For sale sign on the lawn by the post box.
Bought and moved in
Richard sent in the applications for the house; needless to say, they absolutely loved it when they viewed it. Richard had wondered how Sandy had known to turn right that day, there were no other signs leading to that house on the roads, and the agent hadn’t put it online yet. But, he just thought it was luck of the draw, and he loved his wife for being who she is and having such a knack for knowing what to do.
Richard and Sandy had been trying to have a bay for a while now, and they were starting to lose hope. One night, they were lying in bed, and Sandy put Richard’s hand on her stomach and said, “bye bye flat belly.” Richard lept out of bed and jumped for joy. Their bundle of joy had finally arrived – well, sort of. After Becky was born, they didn’t think anything could make their lives seem full.
Five years later, Richard’s mom and dad moved in because they were too old to care for themselves. Richard was overwhelmed by Sandy’s acceptance of the situation, and Sandy was glad to have her mother-in-law around to help with the house chores. They lived for a few happy years together. Sandy appreciated having Richard’s mom help with the house chores. Although, she didn’t like her climbing up to get things on top of the cupboards.
A weird suspicion
One day, Richard had been playing in the garden with Becks, and the mailman arrived to put the post in the box. Before he even arrived in his van, his little girl had started running to the end of the garden. Richard followed her, confused. Then, when he saw the van pull up, he smiled and waved. The mailman waved back, and they exchanged a few words. As he walked back up to the house, Richard wondered how his daughter had known the mailman was going to arrive at that point, but she couldn’t tell the time yet.
Another incident got Richard’s mind wondering. It had been a long and hot day, and the family had decided to go to the beach. Richard’s parents joined in on the fun day out, and everything felt just as it should. Becks adored her grandparents as they had lived at home with her for most of her life. She was glued to her grandfather’s side all day, asking him all kinds of questions about the tides and sea life.
Goodnight, goodbye
That night, Richard took Becks to bed to read her a story and tuck her in. She resisted a little, but this was just routine. When he finally got her to lie down, he tucked her in the blankets and kissed her good night. As he closed her bedroom door, he heard her say her prayers. So, he stopped to listen. She said, “Dear God, please look after my family, and keep them all smiling and happy, amen. Goodnight Mommy, goodnight daddy, goodnight grandma, and goodbye grandpa.”
Richard closed the door with a frown. He told himself that she had made a mistake and meant to say goodnight, not goodbye, grandpa. Sadly, the next day, grandpa died. He had a heart attack, and it was absolutely devastating for the family.
More goodnight
A few months later, Richard was ticking his daughter into bed again. After kissing her goodnight, he went over to the door and started to close it. But Becks started praying again, so he listened quietly. She said, “Goodnight Daddy, goodnight mommy, and goodbye grandma.”
Shocked by what he heard, he told himself this was surely a coincidence. However, the next day he found his mother had passed away during the night. Some might say she died of a broken heart because she missed her husband. At this point, Richard started suspecting his daughter was some psychic medium, or something magical, at least. He recalled all the times Sandy had displayed similar senses and thought it must be a gene that ran in the family.
Goodbye.
Then, about a year later, Richard went to tuck Becks in bed again. She said her prayers, “Good night, mommy, and goodbye, daddy.” Richard was shell-shocked; he didn’t want to believe this was a prediction.
The next day, Richard was extremely nervous and kept jumping at every little noise. He had decided not to tell Sandy, as she would just be in a flat panic. He waited at the office, where he felt safe, until midnight. That way, he was sure the day was over, and he had survived. When he finally arrived home, Sandy had been waiting for him. She gave him a kiss and said, “You wouldn’t believe what happened today.” When Richard looked at her questioningly, she added, “The mailman dropped dead on our porch today.”
This fictional story was inspired by stories from around the web. Any similarities between this story and actual people are purely coincidental.
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