The Bench

By Christy Frazier

A mysterious bench in a quaint little park, will change the
lives of several people forever...

Six-year-old Rachel disappears from the playground in a small
park. After a frantic search, she is found sitting on a park bench
talking to an “imaginary” friend. Rachel insists that she is
talking to her deceased father, and has a message for her mom,
but nobody believes her. But was he really there?

The Bench is an inspirational story with mystery, adventure,
and hope for all who have lost a loved one.

“Christy Frazier is about to present some beautiful scenarios of
how departed loved ones are still part of our lives. Let your faith
and your love and her words take you on the unusual journey of
discovery. I enjoyed this book, because I believe, and I know
what belief and faith can show a person.”
- Dede Rittman
Teacher, Author, Speaker

“The Bench brings to life a world where the impossible is within
reach. A touching story that will turn the hearts of readers to
their fathers and mothers, as well as their own children. I just
can’t help but wish it could be true.”
- John Lott
Teacher, Author, Reader

“Christy’s story is an anchor into the spirit of every child that
wants to connect with a loved one, again. This is a definite read!”
- Jo Standing
Body-based Trauma Renegotiation Specialist, Author

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christy Frazier
• Release date: Mar 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463067406

Christy Frazier

Christy Frazier has been in love with words ever since she learned how to write her name with red finger-paint in Kindergarten. Christy mainly writes young adult urban fantasy novels. Her Untamed Dreams series is no longer a trilogy due to her fans reaction to ending the series. They wanted more, so she wrote more! She is has also written a self-help book for parents and their children currently titled: “All Kids Are Smart”. Which was inspired from her 18 years of teaching elementary children. Her newest novel, The Bench, took her nearly six years to write. She began writing it to help her cope with the passing of her mother from cancer. She feels that the time to publish it finally felt right. She currently has published nine novels, 3 self-help books and several children’s picture books. About the author Christy Frazier, is an internationally published writer and award winning photographer. She received her degree in “Art Commercial Photography” from Weber State University. She lives in Utah with her husband, two kids, two point five cats, one of which fetches like a dog and a vegetarian yellow lab dog. She has been teaching advanced learning children, grades K-6 for over fourteen years. Her combined passions of writing, photography, and teaching children have inspired her to write and photographically illustrate many stories including her latest novel, Untamed Dreams- A Dangerous Beginning. “Imagination is a powerful tool.” - Christy Frazier

Book preview

The Bench

By Christy Frazier

Published by Christy Frazier at Smashwords

Copyright 2019 Christy Frazier

Cover Photo and Design Copyright 2019 Christy Frazier

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Discover other titles by Christy Frazier at pocketcheerleader.com.

This book is dedicated to everybody who has lost a loved one: family, friend, co-worker, classmate, a sweet pet, etc. I am also dedicating this book to the descendants of John Luther Ham who have kept the ghosts of Paradise, KY alive through memories, stories and songs.

Forward

For all those who have suffered a loss – of a loved one, a friend, or a pet – that loss leaves a sad and empty hole in our lives.  We wish and wish to have the loved one back, even for just a few minutes, but we think it is not possible.  And we are afraid – that even if we did believe we could see our loved ones again, would others believe us, or would they call us crazy?  I believe that love never dies, and that our loved ones ARE with us, and they CONTINUE to love and support us.  I believe that they present themselves in small secret ways – with a song playing on the radio, providing a heads up shiny new penny in our paths, placing a feather at our feet, appearing in our dreams, and maybe even allowing us to glimpse them for a moment or two. Having faith that our loved ones still hover on the periphery of our lives somehow makes the loss more bearable. 

By Dede Rittman

Teacher, Author, Speaker

Chapter 1

Rachel! Rachel, where are you! Lynn, a young mother of two children, frantically scanned the large playground. Her heart beat wildly while she searched for her missing six-year-old daughter. Pushing a stroller with her twenty-month-old son, Miles, in the seat, she raced around the perimeter of the enclosed sandy play area with its swings, large jungle gym, and slippery slide. Without thinking, she pushed the stroller into the sand and forcefully shoved it over to the slide while its wheels strained to roll through the loose surface. The slide had a large orange tube at the top for kids to go through as they slid down the long, yellow, plastic surface. She was hoping Rachel was inside of it playing. Kneeling, she looked up into the tube, but to her dismay, it was empty.

A breeze rustled through the large, yellow, orange and red tinted trees that shaded the large park from the afternoon sun. The sound of children playing drifted around the play area. All seemed fine to those who sat off to the side and watched their children play. Several women chatted with each other, while a dad knelt in the sand with his son and dug into the sand’s loose surface as they filled a green bucket together. Nobody was aware that a mother on the playground was experiencing every parent’s worst nightmare, her own child disappearing.

Rushing up to several children who were digging in the sand, Lynn quickly asked, Have you seen a little girl with red hair pulled into two pigtails? She is wearing a yellow shirt and green shorts.

The children stopped digging and looked up at her. All of them shook their heads no, then went back to digging.

Lynn turned and looked around. Rachel! she called out while fighting the tears that were filling her eyes. Her body was beginning to feel numb as the pounding in her chest became more rapid. Fear could do mean and unexplainable things to a person’s body and she was feeling its affects. When a parent can’t find their child, every minute the child is gone seems like an hour as panic and unpleasant thoughts replace all rational thinking.

Rachel, where are you? Please answer Mommy! Reaching into her pants pocket she pulled out her cell phone to call 911 when a tall, slender woman wearing running pants and a pink sweatshirt jogged up to her.

Lynn, what’s the matter? she panted, wiping at her moist brow as she pushed her blonde hair back. She was jogging in place trying to keep her heart rate up.

Holding her hand above her eyes, Lynn scanned the playground again, then sobbed, Ann, I can’t find Rachel. She was playing on the swings while I reached into the diaper bag to get Miles his sippy cup and when I looked back up she was gone. She disappeared that fast. Now I can’t find her anywhere on the playground. I took my eyes off her for less than a minute.

She couldn’t have gone far, it’s not like Rachel to leave and not tell you where she’s going, Ann stated. She, too, scanned the playground and surrounding area for Rachel.

That’s what worries me. Many kids have been abducted in less than a second…

Ann looked at her sharply. You’re going to stop thinking like that right now. Rachel hasn’t been abducted, she’s just wandered off and we’re going to find her. Do you understand? Ann knew that she had to keep her friend from thinking her daughter had been kidnapped and stay focused on looking around the park. Do you think she could have gone over to the restrooms?

I don’t know, it’s possible, I haven’t gone over there yet.

Six-year-olds are famous for waiting until the last minute to go to the restroom, and then they rush to the closest bathroom, Ann stated. Let’s start there.

Two more women rushed over. My little boy said that you can’t find your daughter. We came to help you look for her, offered one. What is her name?

What is she wearing? asked the other. We can get some of the other moms here to help look for her too.

Taking a deep breath, Lynn faced the growing crowd in front of her. Rachel, her name is Rachel. She has red hair that is pulled into two pigtails and she’s wearing a yellow top with green shorts that have small daisies on them. She was playing on the swings about fifteen minutes ago or maybe less… I’m not sure anymore.

Sitting in the stroller, twenty-month-old Miles began to cry at all the excitement going on around him. Up, Mommy, up! he cried, with his hands reaching

towards his mother. His brown eyes were wide with worry.

Lynn immediately bent down and patted his blonde, curly hair. She then pulled him up into her arms and hugged him while she reassured him that everything was going to be fine. Miles began to calm down, but still clung tightly to his mother.

Okay, this is what we’re going to do, Ann directed. You two ladies go over by the pavilion and restrooms and look for Rachel. I will go over to the duck pond and see if she is there. In the meantime, Lynn, you stay here in case she comes back and call 911. It wouldn’t hurt to have the police help us look for her.

All three ladies turned to leave when Zack, Lynn’s eleven-year-old neighbor, walked up. What’s going on? he asked. He held onto the leash of his Golden Retriever.

Rachel is missing. Have you seen her, Zack?

Yes, he began, but was interrupted when all four women immediately began asking him questions at the same time.

Where was she? asked Lynn.

How long ago did you see her? asked Ann.

Is she close by? asked one of the other moms.

He took a few steps back as he looked at them. Their unexpected flow of questions made him nervous. She’s over by the duck pond sitting on a bench. JJ and I just saw her about two minutes ago. I think she’s with an imaginary friend, because she was talking to someone who wasn’t there. Or at least I didn’t see anybody.

Lynn quickly plopped a fussing Miles into the stroller, turned it around, and rushed down the sidewalk to the duck pond with the three other women racing behind her.

Rachel was sitting on a bench in the shade of a large oak tree with her legs swinging back and forth. She faced the empty side of the seat and was talking out loud as if someone was sitting next to her.

I am being good, I promise. Mommy cries a lot though. I hug her when she does; she misses you. So do I, but I’m not sure about Miles since he is still little, Rachel said to the empty space. My eyes are blue like yours, but everybody says I look just like Mommy when she was little, even down to her red hair. Did you know that I’m six-years-old now? She held up her hands and counted to six as she touched her five fingers and both thumbs. She paused for a moment, her head tilted as if she was listening to a response.

She giggled. Yes, Miles is walking; he even talks. You can’t always understand him though. It’s okay if he can’t talk good yet. I’m teaching him how to say things. Sometimes I have to tell Mommy what he wants.

Rachel! Rachel! many voices yelled, interrupting her conversation. She turned and looked at the small group following her mother. They were rushing towards her and all of them were yelling her name. Miles was no longer fussing, as he held on tight to the sides of the stroller.

Oh look, there’s Mommy now. She smiled and pointed at her mother then waved. Hi Mommy, come here, I have a surprise for you!

"Rachel, you stay right there! Don’t you dare

move! Lynn ordered. Both relieved and excited, she rushed over to the bench. She grabbed her daughter and hugged her tight to her. Are you okay? Did anybody try to hurt you?"

Mommy, you’re squeezing the air out of me! Rachel cried out. Her face began to turn red from the pressure.

Lynn fought a mixture of feelings. She was relieved at finding Rachel but angry at her for wandering off too. Why didn’t you tell me where you were going? She hugged her again then moved back. Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? I thought someone had taken you. You shouldn’t have left the playground without telling me where you were going.

But I was here the whole time. I didn’t leave the park, Rachel explained. Her eyes were wide as she looked at the crowd that was forming around her.

Lynn took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She pulled her daughter’s small face up with her finger so she could look into her bright blue eyes. But you left the playground where I couldn’t see you. You’re too young to wander around the park by yourself. We have talked about this.

Confused, Rachel looked at her mom, her brows were drawn together. But Mommy, I wasn’t by myself. Daddy waved for me to come over here and sit with him. Isn’t that right, Daddy? She looked at the empty side of the bench.

Lynn looked at the empty space on the bench next to Rachel and didn’t say anything. She was at a loss for words. A large lump formed in her throat as tears began to stream down her face. Oh sweetie, you know that Daddy has gone to live in Heaven. I know that you miss him, we all do, but he isn’t with us anymore.

I know he lives in Heaven, Mommy, but he came to visit us. He saw me playing on the slide and he waved for me to come over and sit by him. She patted the metal seat, then turned and looked at the empty space. Daddy, tell Mommy you told me to come over here.

Taking a deep breath, Lynn looked at the empty area then back at Rachel. At first, she wasn’t sure what to say. It was obvious that Rachel was thoroughly convinced that her deceased father was sitting right next to her. Rachel, Daddy is in Heaven. It pained her to say this to her and it hurt even more to have to be so blunt about it.

Not right now he isn’t; he is sitting right here. She pointed to the other side of the bench and stared at it for a moment then nodded her head. Daddy said to tell you that you don’t need to cry about missing him anymore. He said that he watches over us every day. She looked back to the empty space. Okay Daddy, I will. He said to tell you that he loves you and will forever.

Lynn was taken aback for a moment. When Nathan told her that he loved her he always added that he would forever. Then again, Rachel could have heard him say that to her. Okay Rachel, that’s enough, she said in her stern mother’s voice. It’s one thing that you left the playground without telling me and caused me and all of these other people to worry about you. But now you’re making up stories. I’m not going to put up with this.

But Mommy, I’m not making up stories. Daddy is sitting right there! She pointed to the other side of the bench. Just sit down by me and you will see for yourself. Just look– Rachel began but she didn’t get to finish what she was saying.

Lynn’s face was red with anger and embarrassment. She turned and faced the other women, ignoring Rachel’s plea for her to sit down onto the bench. Ladies, I would like to thank all of you for your help in finding my daughter. I couldn’t have done it without you.

No problem, stated one of the moms. You would have done the same thing for us.

We should get back to our kids, added the other mom. They turned and quickly walked away.

Ann cleared her throat and began to jog in place. Glad I could help. She started to leave then paused, Lynn, I know that Nathan’s death has been hard on all of you. Let’s go to lunch this week. I don’t know about you, but I could use some girl time. She stopped jogging in place for a moment and looked at her friend. Hey, just remember we are all here if you need us. You aren’t alone.

Lynn smiled at her longtime friend. I know you are and thank you.

Are you going to be okay now? I can stay with you if you would like…

I’m fine now that Rachel has been found. There is no need for you to stay, we are going straight home.

Okay. She looked at her watch. I should get going then. I’ll call you later. Ann picked up her pace and jogged towards the large pavilion.

Mommy–

Don’t argue with me, Rach. Get up right now, we’re going home. Lynn turned the stroller around and began to quickly walk away.

Reluctantly, Rachel slid off the bench then looked back. Bye, Daddy, she whispered. Her shoulders and head were slumped down as she followed her mother up the sidewalk.

Miles leaned over the stroller and looked back at the empty bench. Reaching his hand out, he waved. Bye, bye Da Da! He smiled and squealed while waving his hand enthusiastically.

***

When they got home, Lynn sent Rachel straight to her bedroom. Rachel was crying which made Miles cry too. Taking a deep breath, Lynn walked into the kitchen and pulled a frozen yogurt bar out of the freezer and handed it to Miles. She led him into the family room, turned on the TV and put in a DVD. She then plopped him down into a beanbag chair. He immediately calmed down and watched the cartoon that began playing on the large screen in front of him as he ate his frozen treat.

Walking back into the kitchen, Lynn picked up the phone and pressed some numbers on it. The phone on the other end began to ring.

Hello? answered a female voice.

Mom? Do you have a minute to talk? Lynn asked, nearly in tears. She sat down onto one of the dining table chairs and took a deep breath.

Sure sweetie, what’s wrong? she asked, concerned. Her daughter had been through a rough time. It was hard for her to watch, knowing that she couldn’t make everything better like she did when Lynn was a child. If she fell and skinned her knee, all she had to do was put a Band-Aid on it and everything was fine. However, when your daughter’s husband dies, it becomes an entirely different matter.

It’s Rachel. She disappeared at the park today and I couldn’t find her.

Is she with you now? Did you find her? Her voice was now alarmed and getting louder.

"Yes, we found her. She was